Polymeric tandem dyes with linker groups

ABSTRACT

Compounds useful as fluorescent or colored dyes are disclosed. In some embodiments, the compounds have the following structure (I):or a stereoisomer, tautomer or salt thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, L1, L2, L3, L4, M1, M2, m, and n are as defined herein. Methods associated with preparation and use of such compounds is also provided.

BACKGROUND Field

The present disclosure is generally directed to dimeric and polymeric chromophore compounds (e.g., polymer compounds comprising fluorescent dye moieties) having spacing groups, and methods for their preparation and use in various analytical methods.

Description of the Related Art

Fluorescent and/or colored dyes are known to be particularly suitable for applications in which a highly sensitive detection reagent is desirable. Dyes that are able to preferentially label a specific ingredient or component in a sample enable the researcher to determine the presence, quantity and/or location of that specific ingredient or component. In addition, specific systems can be monitored with respect to their spatial and temporal distribution in diverse environments.

Fluorescence and colorimetric methods are extremely widespread in chemistry and biology. These methods give useful information on the presence, structure, distance, orientation, complexation and/or location for biomolecules. In addition, time-resolved methods are increasingly used in measurements of dynamics and kinetics. As a result, many strategies for fluorescence or color labeling of biomolecules, such as nucleic acids and protein, have been developed. Since analysis of biomolecules typically occurs in an aqueous environment, the focus has been on development and use of dyes compatible with aqueous systems that can elucidate desired spatial information and biomolecule interactions.

Accordingly, techniques involving resonance energy transfer have been developed to reveal such structural information. Specifically, Forster resonance energy transfer (“FRET”—sometimes also used interchangeably with fluorescence resonance energy transfer) techniques produce information that reliably measures change in biomolecular distances and interactions. Resonance energy transfer techniques are relatively cheap and measurements can be obtained rapidly; however, FRET suffers from several limitations related to the orientation and positioning of chromophores as well as energy transfer masking due to free fluorophores and undesirable pH sensitivity. Additionally, known FRET reagents (e.g., modified phycoerythrin or Brilliant Violet™) suffer from a lack of photo-stability, have undesirable physical characteristics (e.g., size, cell permeability), and have high batch to batch variation, which requires instrument recalibration.

There is a need in the art for water soluble dyes, especially resonance energy transfer dyes, having an increased molar brightness and/or increased FRET emission signal. Ideally, such dyes and biomarkers should be intensely colored or fluorescent and should be available in a variety of colors and fluorescent wavelengths. The present disclosure fulfills this need and provides further related advantages.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In brief, embodiments of the present disclosure are generally directed to compounds useful as water soluble, fluorescent and/or colored dyes and/or probes that enable visual detection of analyte molecules, such as biomolecules, as well as reagents for their preparation. In particular, in some embodiments, the compounds of this disclosure are useful because they enable FRET fluorescence emission associated with the same. Methods for visually detecting analyte molecules using the dyes are also described.

Embodiments of the presently disclosed dyes include two or more fluorescent and/or colored moieties (i.e., chromophores) covalently linked by a linker (e.g., “L⁴”). In contrast to previous reports of protein-based, dimeric, and/or polymeric dyes, the present dyes are significantly brighter, enable FRET absorbance and emission as a result of intramolecular interactions, and are robustly reproducible using facile methods known in the art (i.e., automated DNA synthesis methods).

The water soluble, fluorescent or colored dyes of embodiments of the disclosure are intensely colored and/or fluorescent, enable FRET processes (e.g., absorbance, emission, Stokes shifts), and can be readily observed by visual inspection or other means. In some embodiments the compounds may be observed without prior illumination or chemical or enzymatic activation. By appropriate selection of the dye, as described herein, visually detectable analyte molecules of a variety of colors may be obtained as well as valuable spatial information about target molecules.

In one embodiment, compounds having the following structure (I) are provided:

or a stereoisomer, tautomer or salt thereof, wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, L¹, L², L³, L⁴, M¹, M², m, and n are as defined herein.

Another embodiment provides a compound having the following structure (II):

or a stereoisomer, salt or tautomer thereof, wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, L¹, L², L³, L⁴, L⁵, L⁶, L^(7a), L^(7b), M¹, M³, q, w, m, and n are as defined herein are as defined herein.

Another embodiment provides a compound having the following structure (III):

or a stereoisomer, salt, or tautomer thereof, wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, L¹, L², L³, L⁴, L⁸, M¹, M², m, and n are as defined herein.

One embodiment provides a compound having the following structure (IV):

or a stereoisomer, salt or tautomer thereof, wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, L¹, L², L³, L⁴, L⁵, L⁶, L^(7a), L^(7b), L⁸, M¹, M², m, and n are as defined herein.

Yet another embodiment provides a polymer compound comprising an acceptor chromophore having an acceptor transition dipole moment and being covalently linked to a polymer backbone and a donor chromophore having a donor transition dipole moment and being covalently linked to the polymer backbone wherein the acceptor chromophore and donor chromophore have a J-value greater than about 1×10¹⁰ and the polymer compound adopts a confirmation in solution at physiological conditions wherein the effective distance between the acceptor chromophore and the donor chromophore is less than about 50.0 nm and the acceptor transition dipole and the donor transition dipole are substantially parallel or substantially antiparallel.

The foregoing embodiments describe compounds that find utility in a number of applications, including use as FRET, fluorescent, and/or colored dyes in various analytical methods.

Accordingly, another embodiment provides a method for staining a sample, the method comprising adding to said sample one of the foregoing compounds in an amount sufficient to produce an optical response when said sample is illuminated at an appropriate wavelength.

In still other embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method for visually detecting an analyte molecule, comprising:

(a) providing one of the foregoing compounds (e.g., a compound of structure (I), (II), (III), or (IV)); and

(b) detecting the compound by its visible properties.

Other disclosed methods include a method for visually detecting a biomolecule, the method comprising:

(a) ad-mixing one of the foregoing compounds (e.g., a compound of structure (I), (II), (III), or (IV)) with one or more biomolecules; and

(b) detecting the compound by its visible properties.

Other embodiments are directed to a composition comprising at least one of the foregoing compounds (e.g., a compound of structure (I), (II), (III), or (IV)) and one or more biomolecules. Use of such compositions in analytical methods for detection of the one or more analyte (e.g., biomolecules) is also provided.

These and other aspects of the disclosure will be apparent upon reference to the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the figures, identical reference numbers identify similar elements. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale and some of these elements are enlarged and positioned to improve figure legibility. Further, the particular shapes of the elements as drawn are not intended to convey any information regarding the actual shape of the particular elements, and have been solely selected for ease of recognition in the figures.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary donor emission spectrum and acceptor excitation (or absorbance) spectrum and the overlap thereof used to determine a J-value.

FIG. 2 illustrates the fluorescence emission spectra of Compound I-1 using Cy3 as the donor chromophore and AF680 as the acceptor. Excitation at 488 nm.

FIG. 3 depicts the fluorescence emission spectra of Compound I-2 using AF555 as the donor chromophore and AF680 as the acceptor. Excitation at 488 nm.

FIG. 4 shows the fluorescence emission spectra of Compound I-3 using Cy3 as the donor chromophore and AF647 as the acceptor. Excitation at 488 nm.

FIG. 5 shows the fluorescence emission spectra of Compound I-4 using AF555 as the donor chromophore and AF647 as the acceptor. Excitation at 488 nm.

FIG. 6 depicts the fluorescence emission spectra of Compound I-5 using Cy3 as the donor chromophore and AF594 as the acceptor. Excitation at 488 nm.

FIG. 7 depicts the fluorescence emission spectra of Compound I-6 using AF555 as the donor chromophore and AF594 as the acceptor. Excitation at 488 nm.

FIG. 8 displays the fluorescence emission spectra of Compound I-7 using Cy3 as the donor chromophore and AF700 as the acceptor. Excitation at 488 nm.

FIG. 9 depicts the fluorescence emission spectra of Compound I-8 using AF555 as the donor chromophore and AF700 as the acceptor. Excitation at 488 nm.

FIG. 10 shows a positional overlay of the fluorescence emission spectra for Compounds I-1, I-3, I-5 and I-7.

FIG. 11 illustrates an overlay of the emission spectra from compounds containing dual fluorescein moieties excited at 350 nm. Compound I-10 shows increased fluorescence (relative to Compound A) as a result of excitation via FRET from the donor AF350 moiety.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the disclosure. However, one skilled in the art will understand that the disclosure may be practiced without these details.

Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the present specification and claims, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is, as “including, but not limited to”.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

The term “about” has the meaning reasonably ascribed to it by a person of ordinary skill in the art when used in conjunction with a stated numerical value or range, i.e., denoting somewhat more or somewhat less than the stated value or range, to within a range of ±20% of the stated value; ±19% of the stated value; ±18% of the stated value; ±17% of the stated value; ±16% of the stated value; ±15% of the stated value; ±14% of the stated value; ±13% of the stated value; ±12% of the stated value; ±11% of the stated value; ±10% of the stated value; ±9% of the stated value; ±8% of the stated value; ±7% of the stated value; ±6% of the stated value; ±5% of the stated value; ±4% of the stated value; ±3% of the stated value; ±2% of the stated value; or ±1% of the stated value.

“Amino” refers to the —NH₂ group.

“Carboxy” refers to the —CO₂H group.

“Cyano” refers to the —CN group.

“Formyl” refers to the —C(═O)H group.

“Hydroxy” or “hydroxyl” refers to the —OH group.

“Imino” refers to the ═NH group.

“Nitro” refers to the —NO₂ group.

“Oxo” refers to the ═O group.

“Sulfhydryl,” “thiol,” or “thio” refers to the —SH group.

“Thioxo” refers to the ═S group.

“Alkyl” refers to a straight or branched hydrocarbon chain group consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms, containing no unsaturation, having from one to twelve carbon atoms (C₁-C₁₂ alkyl), one to eight carbon atoms (C₁-C₈ alkyl) or one to six carbon atoms (C₁-C₆ alkyl), and which is attached to the rest of the molecule by a single bond, e.g., methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, 1-methylethyl (iso-propyl), n-butyl, n-pentyl, 1,1-dimethylethyl (t-butyl), 3-methylhexyl, 2-methylhexyl, and the like. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, alkyl groups are optionally substituted.

“Alkylene” or “alkylene chain” refers to a straight or branched divalent hydrocarbon chain linking the rest of the molecule to a radical group, consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen, containing no unsaturation, and having from one to twelve carbon atoms, e.g., methylene, ethylene, propylene, n-butylene, ethenylene, propenylene, n-butenylene, propynylene, n-butynylene, and the like. The alkylene chain is attached to the rest of the molecule through a single bond and to the radical group through a single bond. The points of attachment of the alkylene chain to the rest of the molecule and to the radical group can be through one carbon or any two carbons within the chain. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, alkylene is optionally substituted.

“Alkenylene” or “alkenylene chain” refers to a straight or branched divalent hydrocarbon chain linking the rest of the molecule to a radical group, consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen, containing at least one carbon-carbon double bond and having from two to twelve carbon atoms, e.g., ethenylene, propenylene, n-butenylene, and the like. The alkenylene chain is attached to the rest of the molecule through a single bond and to the radical group through a double bond or a single bond. The points of attachment of the alkenylene chain to the rest of the molecule and to the radical group can be through one carbon or any two carbons within the chain. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, alkenylene is optionally substituted.

“Alkynylene” or “alkynylene chain” refers to a straight or branched divalent hydrocarbon chain linking the rest of the molecule to a radical group, consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen, containing at least one carbon-carbon triple bond and having from two to twelve carbon atoms, e.g., ethenylene, propenylene, n-butenylene, and the like. The alkynylene chain is attached to the rest of the molecule through a single bond and to the radical group through a double bond or a single bond. The points of attachment of the alkynylene chain to the rest of the molecule and to the radical group can be through one carbon or any two carbons within the chain. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, alkynylene is optionally substituted.

“Alkylether” refers to any alkyl group as defined above, wherein at least one carbon-carbon bond is replaced with a carbon-oxygen bond. The carbon-oxygen bond may be on the terminal end (as in an alkoxy group) or the carbon oxygen bond may be internal (i.e., C—O—C). Alkylethers include at least one carbon oxygen bond, but may include more than one. For example, polyethylene glycol (PEG) is included within the meaning of alkylether. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, an alkylether group is optionally substituted. For example, in some embodiments an alkylether is substituted with an alcohol or —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c), wherein each of R_(a), R_(b) and R_(c) is as defined for compounds of structure (I).

“Alkoxy” refers to a group of the formula —OR_(a) where R_(a) is an alkyl group as defined above containing one to twelve carbon atoms. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, an alkoxy group is optionally substituted.

“Heteroalkylene” refers to an alkylene group, as defined above, comprising at least one heteroatom (e.g., Si, N, O, P, or S) within the alkylene chain or at a terminus of the alkylene chain. In some embodiments, the heteroatom is within the alkylene chain (i.e., the heteroalkylene comprises at least one carbon-[heteroatom]-carbon bond, where x is 1, 2, or 3). In other embodiments, the heteroatom is at a terminus of the alkylene and thus serves to join the alkylene to the remainder of the molecule (e.g., M_(a)-H—N-M_(b), where M_(a) and M_(b) are each a separate portion of the molecule, H is a heteroatom, and A is an alkylene). Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, a heteroalkylene group is optionally substituted. Exemplary heteroalkylene groups include ethylene oxide (e.g., polyethylene oxide) and the “C linker,” “HEG linker,” and “PEG 1K linker” linking groups illustrated below:

Multimers of the above C linker, HEG linker, and/or PEG 1K linker are included in various embodiments of heteroalkylene linkers. In some embodiments of the PEG 1K linker, n ranges from 19-25, for example n is 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, or 25. Multimers may comprise, for example, the following structure:

wherein x is 0 or an integer greater than 0, for example, x ranges from 0-100 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10).

“Heteroalkenylene” is a heteroalkylene, as defined above, comprising at least one carbon-carbon double bond. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, a heteroalkenylene group is optionally substituted.

“Heteroalkynylene” is a heteroalkylene comprising at least one carbon-carbon triple bond. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, a heteroalkynylene group is optionally substituted.

“Heteroatomic” in reference to a “heteroatomic linker” refers to a linker group consisting of one or more heteroatom. Exemplary heteroatomic linkers include single atoms selected from the group consisting of O, N, P, and S, and multiple heteroatoms for example a linker having the formula —P(O⁻)(═O)O— or —OP(O⁻)(═O)O— and multimers and combinations thereof.

“Phosphate” refers to the —OP(═O)(R_(a))R_(b) group, wherein R_(a) is OH, O⁻ or OR_(c); and R_(b) is OH, O⁻, OR_(c), a thiophosphate group or a further phosphate group, wherein R_(c) is a counter ion (e.g., Na+ and the like).

“Phosphoalkyl” refers to the —OP(═O)(R_(a))R_(b) group, wherein R_(a) is OH, O⁻ or OR_(c); and R_(b) is —Oalkyl, wherein R_(c) is a counter ion (e.g., Na⁺ and the like). Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, a phosphoalkyl group is optionally substituted. For example, in certain embodiments, the —Oalkyl moiety in a phosphoalkyl group is optionally substituted with one or more of hydroxyl, amino, sulfhydryl, phosphate, thiophosphate, phosphoalkyl, thiophosphoalkyl, phosphoalkylether or thiophosphoalkylether.

“Phosphoalkylether” refers to the —OP(═O)(R_(a))R_(b) group, wherein R_(a) is OH, O⁻ or OR_(c); and R_(b) is —Oalkylether, wherein R_(c) is a counter ion (e.g., Na⁺ and the like). Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, a phosphoalkylether group is optionally substituted. For example, in certain embodiments, the —Oalkylether moiety in a phosphoalkylether group is optionally substituted with one or more of hydroxyl, amino, sulfhydryl, phosphate, thiophosphate, phosphoalkyl, thiophosphoalkyl, phosphoalkylether or thiophosphoalkylether.

“Thiophosphate” refers to the —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c) group, wherein R_(a) is O or S, R_(b) is OH, O⁻, S⁻, OR_(d) or SR_(a); and R_(c) is OH, SH, O⁻, S⁻, OR_(d), SR_(d), a phosphate group or a further thiophosphate group, wherein R_(d) is a counter ion (e.g., Na⁺ and the like) and provided that: i) R_(a) is S; ii) R_(b) is S⁻ or SR_(d); iii) R_(c) is SH, S⁻ or SR_(d); or iv) a combination of i), ii) and/or iii).

“Thiophosphoalkyl” refers to the —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c) group, wherein R_(a) is O or S, R_(b) is OH, O⁻, S⁻, OR_(d) or SR_(d); and R_(c) is —Oalkyl, wherein R_(d) is a counter ion (e.g., Na+ and the like) and provided that: i) R_(a) is S; ii) R_(b) is S⁻ or SR_(d); or iii) R_(a) is S and R_(b) is S⁻ or SR_(d). Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, a thiophosphoalkyl group is optionally substituted. For example, in certain embodiments, the —Oalkyl moiety in a thiophosphoalkyl group is optionally substituted with one or more of hydroxyl, amino, sulfhydryl, phosphate, thiophosphate, phosphoalkyl, thiophosphoalkyl, phosphoalkylether or thiophosphoalkylether.

“Thiophosphoalkylether” refers to the —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c) group, wherein R_(a) is O or S, R_(b) is OH, O⁻, S⁻, OR_(d) or SR_(d); and R_(c) is —Oalkylether, wherein R_(d) is a counter ion (e.g., Na⁺ and the like) and provided that: i) R_(a) is S; ii) R_(b) is S⁻ or SR_(d); or iii) R_(a) is S and R_(b) is S⁻ or SR_(d). Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, a thiophosphoalkylether group is optionally substituted. For example, in certain embodiments, the —Oalkylether moiety in a thiophosphoalkyl group is optionally substituted with one or more of hydroxyl, amino, sulfhydryl, phosphate, thiophosphate, phosphoalkyl, thiophosphoalkyl, phosphoalkylether or thiophosphoalkylether.

“Carbocyclic” refers to a stable 3- to 18-membered aromatic or non-aromatic ring comprising 3 to 18 carbon atoms. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, a carbocyclic ring may be a monocyclic, bicyclic, tricyclic or tetracyclic ring system, which may include fused or bridged ring systems, and may be partially or fully saturated. Non-aromatic carbocyclyl radicals include cycloalkyl, while aromatic carbocyclyl radicals include aryl. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, a carbocyclic group is optionally substituted.

“Cycloalkyl” refers to a stable non-aromatic monocyclic or polycyclic carbocyclic ring, which may include fused or bridged ring systems, having from three to fifteen carbon atoms, preferably having from three to ten carbon atoms, and which is saturated or unsaturated and attached to the rest of the molecule by a single bond. Monocyclic cyclocalkyls include, for example, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, and cyclooctyl. Polycyclic cycloalkyls include, for example, adamantyl, norbornyl, decalinyl, 7,7-dimethyl-bicyclo-[2.2.1]heptanyl, and the like. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, a cycloalkyl group is optionally substituted.

“Aryl” refers to a ring system comprising at least one carbocyclic aromatic ring. In some embodiments, an aryl comprises from 6 to 18 carbon atoms. The aryl ring may be a monocyclic, bicyclic, tricyclic or tetracyclic ring system, which may include fused or bridged ring systems. Aryls include, but are not limited to, aryls derived from aceanthrylene, acenaphthylene, acephenanthrylene, anthracene, azulene, benzene, chrysene, fluoranthene, fluorene, as-indacene, s-indacene, indane, indene, naphthalene, phenalene, phenanthrene, pleiadene, pyrene, and triphenylene. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, an aryl group is optionally substituted.

“Heterocyclic” refers to a stable 3- to 18-membered aromatic or non-aromatic ring comprising one to twelve carbon atoms and from one to six heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, the heterocyclic ring may be a monocyclic, bicyclic, tricyclic or tetracyclic ring system, which may include fused or bridged ring systems; and the nitrogen, carbon or sulfur atoms in the heterocyclic ring may be optionally oxidized; the nitrogen atom may be optionally quaternized; and the heterocyclic ring may be partially or fully saturated. Examples of aromatic heterocyclic rings are listed below in the definition of heteroaryls (i.e., heteroaryl being a subset of heterocyclic). Examples of non-aromatic heterocyclic rings include, but are not limited to, dioxolanyl, thienyl[1,3]dithianyl, decahydroisoquinolyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl, isothiazolidinyl, isoxazolidinyl, morpholinyl, octahydroindolyl, octahydroisoindolyl, 2-oxopiperazinyl, 2-oxopiperidinyl, 2-oxopyrrolidinyl, oxazolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, 4-piperidonyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyrazolopyrimidinyl, quinuclidinyl, thiazolidinyl, tetrahydrofuryl, trioxanyl, trithianyl, triazinanyl, tetrahydropyranyl, thiomorpholinyl, thiamorpholinyl, 1-oxo-thiomorpholinyl, and 1,1-dioxo-thiomorpholinyl. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, a heterocyclic group is optionally substituted.

“Heteroaryl” refers to a 5- to 14-membered ring system comprising one to thirteen carbon atoms, one to six heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, and at least one aromatic ring. For purposes of certain embodiments of this disclosure, the heteroaryl radical may be a monocyclic, bicyclic, tricyclic or tetracyclic ring system, which may include fused or bridged ring systems; and the nitrogen, carbon or sulfur atoms in the heteroaryl radical may be optionally oxidized; the nitrogen atom may be optionally quaternized. Examples include, but are not limited to, azepinyl, acridinyl, benzimidazolyl, benzthiazolyl, benzindolyl, benzodioxolyl, benzofuranyl, benzooxazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzothiadiazolyl, benzo[b][1,4]dioxepinyl, 1,4-benzodioxanyl, benzonaphthofuranyl, benzoxazolyl, benzodioxolyl, benzodioxinyl, benzopyranyl, benzopyranonyl, benzofuranyl, benzofuranonyl, benzothienyl (benzothiophenyl), benzotriazolyl, benzo[4,6]imidazo[1,2-a]pyridinyl, benzoxazolinonyl, benzimidazolthionyl, carbazolyl, cinnolinyl, dibenzofuranyl, dibenzothiophenyl, furanyl, furanonyl, isothiazolyl, imidazolyl, indazolyl, indolyl, indazolyl, isoindolyl, indolinyl, isoindolinyl, isoquinolyl, indolizinyl, isoxazolyl, naphthyridinyl, oxadiazolyl, 2-oxoazepinyl, oxazolyl, oxiranyl, 1-oxidopyridinyl, 1-oxidopyrimidinyl, 1-oxidopyrazinyl, 1-oxidopyridazinyl, 1-phenyl-1H-pyrrolyl, phenazinyl, phenothiazinyl, phenoxazinyl, phthalazinyl, pteridinyl, pteridinonyl, purinyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, pyridinyl, pyridinonyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pryrimidinonyl, pyridazinyl, pyrrolyl, pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidinonyl, quinazolinyl, quinazolinonyl, quinoxalinyl, quinoxalinonyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, thiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidin-4-onyl, thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-onyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, triazinyl, and thiophenyl (i.e. thienyl). Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, a heteroaryl group is optionally substituted.

The suffix “-ene” refers to a particular structural feature (e.g., alkyl, aryl, heteroalkyl) attached to the rest of the molecule through a single bond and to the radical group through a single bond. In other words, the suffix “-ene” refers to a particular structural feature having the description given herein which is a linker between the molecule and a radical group. The points of attachment of the “-ene” chain to the rest of the molecule and to the radical group can be through one atom of or any two atoms within the chain. For example, an alkyleneheteroalkylene refers to a linker comprising an alkylene portion and a heteroalkylene portion.

“Fused” refers to a ring system comprising at least two rings, wherein the two rings share at least one common ring atom, for example two common ring atoms. When the fused ring is a heterocyclyl ring or a heteroaryl ring, the common ring atom(s) may be carbon or nitrogen. Fused rings include bicyclic, tricyclic, tertracyclic, and the like.

“Conjugation” refers to the overlap of one p-orbital with another p-orbital across an intervening sigma bond. Conjugation may occur in cyclic or acyclic compounds. A “degree of conjugation” refers to the overlap of at least one p-orbital with another p-orbital across an intervening sigma bond. For example, 1,3-butadine has one degree of conjugation, while benzene and other aromatic compounds typically have multiple degrees of conjugation. Fluorescent and colored compounds typically comprise at least one degree of conjugation.

“Fluorescent” refers to a molecule which is capable of absorbing light of a particular frequency and emitting light of a different frequency. Fluorescence is well-known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

“Colored” refers to a molecule which absorbs light within the colored spectrum (i.e., red, yellow, blue and the like).

“FRET” refers to Forster resonance energy transfer refers to a physical interaction whereby energy from the excitation of one moiety (e.g., a first chromophore or “donor”) is transferred to an adjacent moiety (e.g., a second chromophore or “acceptor”). “FRET” is sometimes also used interchangeably with fluorescence resonance energy transfer (i.e., when each chromophore is a fluorescent moiety). Generally, FRET requires that (1) the excitation or absorption spectrum of the acceptor chromophore overlaps with the emission spectrum of the donor chromophore; (2) the transition dipole moments of the acceptor and donor chromophores are substantially parallel (i.e., at about 0° or 180°); and (3) the acceptor and donor chromophores share a spatial proximity (i.e., close to each other). The transfer of energy from the donor to the acceptor occurs through non-radiative dipole-dipole coupling and the distance between the donor chromophore and acceptor chromophore is generally much less than the wavelength(s) of light.

“Donor” or “donor chromophore” refers to a chromophore (e.g., a fluorophore) that is or can be induced into an excited electronic state and may transfer its excitation or absorbance energy to a nearby acceptor chromophore in a non-radiative fashion through long-range dipole-dipole interactions. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is thought that the energy transfer occurs because the oscillating dipoles of the respective chromophores have similar resonance frequencies. A donor and acceptor that have these similar resonance frequencies are referred to as a “donor-acceptor pair(s),” which is used interchangeably with “FRET moieties,” “FRET pairs,” “FRET dyes,” or similar.

“Acceptor” or “acceptor chromophore” refers to a chromophore (e.g., a fluorophore) to which excitation or absorbance energy from a donor chromophore is transferred via a non-radiative transfer through long-range dipole-dipole interaction.

“Stake's shift” refers to a difference between positions (e.g., wavelengths) of the band maxima of excitation or absorbance and emission spectra of an electronic transition (e.g., from excited state to non-excited state, or vice versa). In some embodiments, the compounds have a Stake's shift greater than 25 nm, greater than 30 nm, greater than 35 nm, greater than 40 nm, greater than 45 nm, greater than 50 nm, greater than 55 nm, greater than 60 nm, greater than 65 nm, greater than 70 nm, greater than 75 nm, greater than 80 nm, greater than 85 nm, greater than 90 nm, greater than 95 nm, greater than 100 nm, greater than 110 nm, greater than 120 nm, greater than 130 nm, greater than 140 nm, greater than 150 nm, greater than 160 nm, greater than 170 nm, greater than 180 nm, greater than 190 nm, or greater than 200 nm.

“J-value” is calculated as an integral value of spectral overlap between the emission spectrum of a donor chromophore and the excitation or absorbance spectrum of an acceptor chromophore. The emission spectrum of the donor chromophore is that which is generated when the donor chromophore is excited with a preferred excitation or absorbance wavelength. Preferred excitation or absorbance wavelengths for donor chromophores are at or near their respective excitation or absorbance maximum well known to a person of ordinary skill in the art (e.g., Pacific Blue has an excitation or absorbance maximum at about 401 nm, FITC has an excitation or absorbance maximum at about 495 nm). An illustrative example of a “J-value” as used herein is shown in FIG. 1.

A “linker” refers to a contiguous chain of at least one atom, such as carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorous and combinations thereof, which connects a portion of a molecule to another portion of the same molecule or to a different molecule, moiety or solid support (e.g., microparticle). Linkers may connect the molecule via a covalent bond or other means, such as ionic or hydrogen bond interactions.

“Physiological conditions” refers to a solution or medium having a temperature ranging from about 20 to 40° C., an atmospheric pressure of about 1 atm (101 kPa or 14.7 psi), a pH of about 6 to 8, a glucose concentration of about 1 to 20 mM, atmospheric oxygen concentration, and/or earth gravity. “Physiological conditions” includes a solution or medium having a subset of these properties (e.g., having a temperature ranging from 20 to 40° C. and a pH of about 6 to 8). Such conditions may also include buffer components or systems including, but not limited to phosphate, bicarbonate, hemoglobin and/or protein.

The term “biomolecule” refers to any of a variety of biological materials, including nucleic acids, carbohydrates, amino acid, polypeptides, glycoproteins, hormones, aptamers and mixtures thereof.

More specifically, the term is intended to include, without limitation, RNA,

DNA, oligonucleotides, modified or derivatized nucleotides, enzymes, receptors, prions, receptor ligands (including hormones), antibodies, antigens, and toxins, as well as bacteria, viruses, blood cells, and tissue cells. The visually detectable biomolecules of the disclosure (e.g., compounds of structures (I), (II), (III), or (IV) having a biomolecule linked thereto) are prepared, as further described herein, by contacting a biomolecule with a compound having a reactive group that enables attachment of the biomolecule to the compound via any available atom or functional group, such as an amino, hydroxy, carboxyl, or sulfhydryl group on the biomolecule.

A “reactive group” is a moiety capable of reacting with a second reactive group (e.g., a “complementary reactive group”) to form one or more covalent bonds, for example by a displacement, oxidation, reduction, addition or cycloaddition reaction. Exemplary reactive groups are provided in Table 1, and include for example, nucleophiles, electrophiles, dienes, dienophiles, aldehyde, oxime, hydrazone, alkyne, amine, azide, acylazide, acylhalide, nitrile, nitrone, sulfhydryl, disulfide, sulfonyl halide, isothiocyanate, imidoester, activated ester, ketone, α,β-unsaturated carbonyl, alkene, maleimide, α-haloimide, epoxide, aziridine, tetrazine, tetrazole, phosphine, biotin, thiirane and the like.

“Bio-conjugation” or “bio-conjugate” and related variations refer to a chemical reaction strategy for forming a stable covalent bond between two molecules. The term “bio-conjugation” is generally used when one of the molecules is a biomolecule (e.g., an antibody), but can be used to describe forming a covalent bond with a non-biomolecule (e.g., a polymeric resin). The product or compound resulting from such a reaction strategy is a “conjugate,” “bio-conjugate” or a grammatical equivalent.

The terms “visible” and “visually detectable” are used herein to refer to substances that are observable by visual inspection, without prior illumination, or chemical or enzymatic activation. Such visually detectable substances absorb and emit light in a region of the spectrum ranging from about 300 to about 900 nm. Preferably, such substances are intensely colored, preferably having a molar extinction coefficient of at least about 40,000, more preferably at least about 50,000, still more preferably at least about 60,000, yet still more preferably at least about 70,000, and most preferably at least about 80,000 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹. The compounds of the disclosure may be detected by observation with the naked eye, or with the aid of an optically based detection device, including, without limitation, absorption spectrophotometers, transmission light microscopes, digital cameras and scanners. Visually detectable substances are not limited to those which emit and/or absorb light in the visible spectrum. Substances which emit and/or absorb light in the ultraviolet (UV) region (about 10 nm to about 400 nm), infrared (IR) region (about 700 nm to about 1 mm), and substances emitting and/or absorbing in other regions of the electromagnetic spectrum are also included with the scope of “visually detectable” substances.

For purposes of embodiments of the disclosure, the term “photostable visible dye” refers to a chemical moiety that is visually detectable, as defined hereinabove, and is not significantly altered or decomposed upon exposure to light. Preferably, the photostable visible dye does not exhibit significant bleaching or decomposition after being exposed to light for at least one hour. More preferably, the visible dye is stable after exposure to light for at least 12 hours, still more preferably at least 24 hours, still yet more preferably at least one week, and most preferably at least one month. Non-limiting examples of photostable visible dyes suitable for use in the compounds and methods of the disclosure include azo dyes, thioindigo dyes, quinacridone pigments, dioxazine, phthalocyanine, perinone, diketopyrrolopyrrole, quinophthalone, and truarycarbonium.

As used herein, the term “perylene derivative” is intended to include any substituted perylene that is visually detectable. However, the term is not intended to include perylene itself. The terms “anthracene derivative”, “naphthalene derivative”, and “pyrene derivative” are used analogously. In some preferred embodiments, a derivative (e.g., perylene, pyrene, anthracene or naphthalene derivative) is an imide, bisimine or hydrazamimide derivative of perylene, anthracene, naphthalene, or pyrene.

The polymer compounds of various embodiments of the disclosure are useful for a wide variety of analytical applications, such as biochemical and biomedical applications, in which there is a need to determine the presence, location, spatial interaction or quantity of a particular analyte (e.g., biomolecule). In another aspect, therefore, the disclosure provides a method for visually detecting a biomolecule, comprising: (a) providing a biological system with a visually detectable biomolecule comprising the compound of the embodiments disclosed herein (e.g., compounds of structures (I), (II), (III), or (IV)) linked to a biomolecule; and (b) detecting the biomolecule by its visible properties. For purposes of the disclosure, the phrase “detecting the biomolecule by its visible properties” means that the biomolecule, without illumination or chemical or enzymatic activation, is observed with the naked eye, or with the aid of a optically based detection device, including, without limitation, absorption spectrophotometers, transmission light microscopes, digital cameras and scanners. A densitometer may be used to quantify the amount of visually detectable biomolecule present. For example, the relative quantity of the biomolecule in two samples can be determined by measuring relative optical density. If the stoichiometry of dye molecules per biomolecule is known, and the extinction coefficient of the dye molecule is known, then the absolute concentration of the biomolecule can also be determined from a measurement of optical density. As used herein, the term “biological system” is used to refer to any solution or mixture comprising one or more biomolecules in addition to the visually detectable biomolecule. Non-limiting examples of such biological systems include cells, cell extracts, tissue samples, electrophoretic gels, assay mixtures, and hybridization reaction mixtures.

“Solid support” or “solid support residue” refers to any solid substrate known in the art for solid-phase support of molecules, for example a “microparticle” refers to any of a number of small particles useful for attachment to compounds of the disclosure, including, but not limited to, glass beads, magnetic beads, polymeric beads, non-polymeric beads, and the like. In certain embodiments, a microparticle comprises polystyrene beads.

“Base pairing moiety” refers to a heterocyclic moiety capable of hybridizing with a complementary heterocyclic moiety via hydrogen bonds (e.g., Watson-Crick base pairing). Base pairing moieties include natural and unnatural bases. Non-limiting examples of base pairing moieties are RNA and DNA bases such adenosine, guanosine, thymidine, cytosine and uridine and analogues thereof.

Embodiments of this disclosure are also meant to encompass all compounds of structure (I) or (II) being isotopically-labelled by having one or more atoms replaced by an atom having a different atomic mass or mass number. Examples of isotopes that can be incorporated into the disclosed compounds include isotopes of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorous, fluorine, chlorine, and iodine, such as ²H, ³H, ¹¹C, ¹³C, ¹⁴C, ¹³N, ¹⁵N, ¹⁵O, ¹⁷O, ¹⁸O, ³¹P, ³²P, ³⁵S, ¹⁸F, ³⁶Cl, ¹²³I, and ¹²⁵I, respectively.

Isotopically-labeled compounds of structure (I) or (II) can generally be prepared by conventional techniques known to those skilled in the art or by processes analogous to those described below and in the following Examples using an appropriate isotopically-labeled reagent in place of the non-labeled reagent previously employed.

“Stable compound” and “stable structure” are meant to indicate a compound that is sufficiently robust to survive isolation to a useful degree of purity from a reaction mixture, and formulation into an efficacious therapeutic agent.

“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstances may or may not occur; such a description includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not. For example, “optionally substituted alkyl” means that the alkyl group may or may not be substituted and that the description includes both substituted alkyl groups and alkyl groups having no substitution.

“Salt” includes both acid and base addition salts.

“Acid addition salt” refers to those salts which are formed with inorganic acids such as, but not limited to, hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid and the like, and organic acids such as, but not limited to, acetic acid, 2,2-dichloroacetic acid, adipic acid, alginic acid, ascorbic acid, aspartic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, benzoic acid, 4-acetamidobenzoic acid, camphoric acid, camphor-10-sulfonic acid, capric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, carbonic acid, cinnamic acid, citric acid, cyclamic acid, dodecylsulfuric acid, ethane-1,2-disulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonic acid, formic acid, fumaric acid, galactaric acid, gentisic acid, glucoheptonic acid, gluconic acid, glucuronic acid, glutamic acid, glutaric acid, 2-oxo-glutaric acid, glycerophosphoric acid, glycolic acid, hippuric acid, isobutyric acid, lactic acid, lactobionic acid, lauric acid, maleic acid, malic acid, malonic acid, mandelic acid, methanesulfonic acid, mucic acid, naphthalene-1,5-disulfonic acid, naphthalene-2-sulfonic acid, l-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, nicotinic acid, oleic acid, orotic acid, oxalic acid, palmitic acid, pamoic acid, propionic acid, pyroglutamic acid, pyruvic acid, salicylic acid, 4-aminosalicylic acid, sebacic acid, stearic acid, succinic acid, tartaric acid, thiocyanic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, undecylenic acid, and the like.

“Base addition salt” refers to those salts which are prepared from addition of an inorganic base or an organic base to the free acid. Salts derived from inorganic bases include, but are not limited to, sodium, potassium, lithium, ammonium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, aluminum salts and the like. Salts derived from organic bases include, but are not limited to, salts of primary, secondary, and tertiary amines, substituted amines including naturally occurring substituted amines, cyclic amines and basic ion exchange resins, such as ammonia, isopropylamine, trimethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, tripropylamine, diethanolamine, ethanolamine, deanol, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, 2-diethylaminoethanol, dicyclohexylamine, lysine, arginine, histidine, caffeine, procaine, hydrabamine, choline, betaine, benethamine, benzathine, ethylenediamine, glucosamine, methylglucamine, theobromine, triethanolamine, tromethamine, purines, piperazine, piperidine, N-ethylpiperidine, polyamine resins and the like. Particularly preferred organic bases are isopropylamine, diethylamine, ethanolamine, trimethylamine, dicyclohexylamine, choline and caffeine.

Crystallizations may produce a solvate of the compounds described herein. Embodiments of the present disclosure include all solvates of the described compounds. As used herein, the term “solvate” refers to an aggregate that comprises one or more molecules of a compound of the disclosure with one or more molecules of solvent. The solvent may be water, in which case the solvate may be a hydrate. Alternatively, the solvent may be an organic solvent. Thus, the compounds of the present disclosure may exist as a hydrate, including a monohydrate, dihydrate, hemihydrate, sesquihydrate, trihydrate, tetrahydrate and the like, as well as the corresponding solvated forms. The compounds of the disclosure may be true solvates, while in other cases the compounds of the disclosure may merely retain adventitious water or another solvent or be a mixture of water plus some adventitious solvent.

Embodiments of the compounds of the disclosure (e.g., compounds of structure I, II, III or IV), or their salts, tautomers or solvates may contain one or more stereocenters and may thus give rise to enantiomers, diastereomers, and other stereoisomeric forms that may be defined, in terms of absolute stereochemistry, as (R)- or (S)- or, as (D)- or (L)- for amino acids. Embodiments of the present disclosure are meant to include all such possible isomers, as well as their racemic and optically pure forms. Optically active (+) and (−), (R)- and (S)-, or (D)- and (L)- isomers may be prepared using chiral synthons or chiral reagents, or resolved using conventional techniques, for example, chromatography and fractional crystallization. Conventional techniques for the preparation/isolation of individual enantiomers include chiral synthesis from a suitable optically pure precursor or resolution of the racemate (or the racemate of a salt or derivative) using, for example, chiral high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). When the compounds described herein contain olefinic double bonds or other centers of geometric asymmetry, and unless specified otherwise, it is intended that the compounds include both E and Z geometric isomers. Likewise, all tautomeric forms are also intended to be included.

A “stereoisomer” refers to a compound made up of the same atoms bonded by the same bonds but having different three-dimensional structures, which are not interchangeable. The present disclosure contemplates various stereoisomers and mixtures thereof and includes “enantiomers”, which refers to two stereoisomers whose molecules are non-superimposable mirror images of one another.

A “tautomer” refers to a proton shift from one atom of a molecule to another atom of the same molecule. The present disclosure includes tautomers of any said compounds. Various tautomeric forms of the compounds are easily derivable by those of ordinary skill in the art.

The chemical naming protocol and structure diagrams used herein are a modified form of the I.U.P.A.C. nomenclature system, using the ACD/Name Version 9.07 software program and/or ChemDraw Ultra Version 11.0 software naming program (CambridgeSoft). Common names familiar to one of ordinary skill in the art are also used.

As noted above, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, compounds useful as FRET, fluorescent, and/or colored dyes in various analytical methods are provided. In other embodiments, compounds useful as synthetic intermediates for preparation of compounds useful as FRET, fluorescent, and/or colored dyes are provided. In general terms, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to dimers, trimers, and higher polymers of FRET, fluorescent, and/or colored moieties. The FRET, fluorescent, and/or colored moieties are linked by a linking moiety. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed the linker helps to maintain sufficient spatial distance/proximity between the donor-acceptor pair(s) such that intramolecular quenching is reduced or eliminated, while maintain sufficient proximity to facilitate the non-radiative transfer of energy.

Accordingly, in some embodiments the compounds have the following structure (A):

wherein Lisa linker sufficient to maintain spatial separation between one or more (e.g., each) M group so that intramolecular quenching is reduced or eliminated, and R¹, R², R³, L¹, L², L³ and n are as defined for structure (I), (II), (III), or structure (IV).

In other embodiments is provided a compound having the following structure (I):

or a stereoisomer, salt, or tautomer thereof, wherein:

M¹ and M² are, at each occurrence, independently a chromophore, provided that at least one of M¹ and M² is a FRET donor, and another one of M¹ and M² is a corresponding FRET acceptor;

L¹ is, at each occurrence, an optional linker, provided that at least one occurrence of L¹ is present and comprises oxygen;

L² and L³ are, at each occurrence, independently an optional alkylene, alkenylene, alkynylene, heteroalkylene, heteroalkenylene, heteroalkynylene or heteroatomic linker;

L⁴ is, at each occurrence, independently an alkylene or heteroalkylene linker;

R¹ is, at each occurrence, independently H, alkyl or alkoxy;

R² and R³ are each independently H, OH, SH, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylether, heteroalkyl, —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c), Q, or a protected form thereof, or L′;

R⁴ is, at each occurrence, independently OH, SH, O⁻, S⁻, OR_(d) or SR_(d);

R⁵ is, at each occurrence, independently oxo, thioxo or absent;

R_(a) is O or S;

R_(b) is OH, SH, O⁻, S⁻, OR_(d) or SR_(d);

R_(c) is OH, SH, O⁻, S⁻, OR_(d), OL′, SR_(d), alkyl, alkoxy, heteroalkyl, heteroalkoxy, alkylether, alkoxyalkylether, phosphate, thiophosphate, phosphoalkyl, thiophosphoalkyl, phosphoalkylether or thiophosphoalkylether;

R_(d) is a counter ion;

Q is, at each occurrence, independently a moiety comprising a reactive group, or protected form thereof, capable of forming a covalent bond with an analyte molecule, a targeting moiety, a solid support, or a complementary reactive group Q′;

L′ is, at each occurrence, independently a linker comprising a covalent bond to Q, a linker comprising a covalent bond to a targeting moiety, a linker comprising a covalent bond to an analyte molecule, a linker comprising a covalent bond to a solid support, a linker comprising a covalent bond to a solid support residue, a linker comprising a covalent bond to a nucleoside or a linker comprising a covalent bond to a further compound of structure (I);

m is, at each occurrence, independently an integer of zero or greater; and

n is an integer of one or greater.

In more specific embodiments, at least one occurrence of L⁴ is heteroalkylene when M¹ and M² are selected from fluorescein, pyrene, and perylene.

Some other embodiments provide a compound having the following structure (II):

or a stereoisomer, salt, or tautomer thereof, wherein:

M¹ and M³ are, at each occurrence, independently a chromophore, provided that at least one of M¹ and M³ is a FRET donor, and another one of M¹ and M³ is a corresponding FRET acceptor;

L¹, L^(7a), and L^(7b) are, at each occurrence, independently an optional linker;

L², L³, L⁵ and L⁶ are, at each occurrence, independently an optional alkylene, alkenylene, alkynylene, heteroalkylene, heteroalkenylene, heteroalkynylene or heteroatomic linker;

L⁴ is, at each occurrence, independently an alkylene or heteroalkylene linker;

R¹ is, at each occurrence, independently H, alkyl, or alkoxy;

R² and R³ are each independently H, OH, SH, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylether, heteroalkyl, —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c), Q, or a protected form thereof, or L′;

R⁴ is, at each occurrence, independently OH, SH, O⁻, S⁻, OR_(d) or SR_(d);

R⁵ is, at each occurrence, independently oxo, thioxo or absent;

R_(a) is O or S;

R_(b) is OH, SH, O⁻, S⁻, OR_(d) or SR_(d);

R_(c) is OH, SH, O⁻, S⁻, OR_(d), OL′, SR_(d), alkyl, alkoxy, heteroalkyl, heteroalkoxy, alkylether, alkoxyalkylether, phosphate, thiophosphate, phosphoalkyl, thiophosphoalkyl, phosphoalkylether or thiophosphoalkylether;

R_(d) is a counter ion;

Q is, at each occurrence, independently a moiety comprising a reactive group, or protected form thereof, capable of forming a covalent bond with an analyte molecule, a targeting moiety, a solid support or a complementary reactive group Q′;

L′ is, at each occurrence, independently a linker comprising a covalent bond to Q, a linker comprising a covalent bond to a targeting moiety, a linker comprising a covalent bond to an analyte molecule, a linker comprising a covalent bond to a solid support, a linker comprising a covalent bond to a solid support residue, a linker comprising a covalent bond to a nucleoside or a linker comprising a covalent bond to a further compound of structure (II);

m is, at each occurrence, independently an integer of zero or greater; and

n is an integer of one or greater;

q is an integer of zero or greater, provided that q is an integer of one or greater for at least one occurrence; and

w is an integer of zero or greater, provided that q is an integer of one or greater for at least one occurrence.

Some other embodiments provide a compound having the following structure (III):

or a stereoisomer, salt, or tautomer thereof, wherein:

M¹ and M² are, at each occurrence, independently a chromophore, provided that at least two occurrences of M¹ are independently FRET donors, and at least one occurrence of M² is a FRET acceptor that forms a FRET pair with each of the at 1 east two occurrence s of M¹;

-   -   L¹ is, at each occurrence, an optional linker, provided that at         least one occurrence of L¹ is present and comprises oxygen;

L² and L³ are, at each occurrence, independently an optional alkylene, alkenylene, alkynylene, heteroalkylene, heteroalkenylene, heteroalkynylene or heteroatomic linker;

L⁴ is, at each occurrence, independently an alkylene or heteroalkylene linker;

L⁸ is, at each occurrence, independently a rigid linker;

R¹ is, at each occurrence, independently H, alkyl or alkoxy;

R² and R³ are each independently H, OH, SH, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylether, heteroalkyl, —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c), Q, or a protected form thereof, or L′;

R⁴ is, at each occurrence, independently OH, SH, O⁻, S⁻, OR_(d) or SR_(a);

R⁵ is, at each occurrence, independently oxo, thioxo, or absent;

R_(a) is O or S;

R_(b) is OH, SH, O⁻, S⁻, OR_(d) or SR_(d);

R_(c) is OH, SH, O⁻, S⁻, OR_(d), OL′, SR_(d), alkyl, alkoxy, heteroalkyl, heteroalkoxy, alkylether, alkoxyalkylether, phosphate, thiophosphate, phosphoalkyl, thiophosphoalkyl, phosphoalkylether, or thiophosphoalkylether;

R_(d) is a counter ion;

Q is, at each occurrence, independently a moiety comprising a reactive group, or protected form thereof, capable of forming a covalent bond with an analyte molecule, a targeting moiety, a solid support or a complementary reactive group Q′;

L′ is, at each occurrence, independently a linker comprising a covalent bond to Q, a linker comprising a covalent bond to a targeting moiety, a linker comprising a covalent bond to an analyte molecule, a linker comprising a covalent bond to a solid support, a linker comprising a covalent bond to a solid support residue, a linker comprising a covalent bond to a nucleoside or a linker comprising a covalent bond to a further compound of structure (III);

m is, at each occurrence, independently an integer of zero or greater; and

n is an integer of one or greater.

In more specific embodiments, at least one occurrence of L⁴ is heteroalkylene when M¹ and M² are selected from fluorescein, pyrene, and perylene.

One specific embodiment provides a compound having the following structure (IV):

or a stereoisomer, salt, or tautomer thereof, wherein:

M¹ and M³ are, at each occurrence, independently a chromophore, provided that at least two occurrences of M¹ are independently FRET donors, and at least one occurrence of M³ is a FRET acceptor that forms a FRET pair with each of the at least two occurrences of M¹;

L¹, L^(7a), and L^(7b) are, at each occurrence, independently an optional linker;

L², L³, L⁵ and L⁶ are, at each occurrence, independently an optional alkylene, alkenylene, alkynylene, heteroalkylene, heteroalkenylene, heteroalkynylene or heteroatomic linker;

L⁴ is, at each occurrence, independently an alkylene or heteroalkylene linker;

L⁸ is, at each occurrence, independently a rigid linker;

R¹ is, at each occurrence, independently H, alkyl or alkoxy;

R² and R³ are each independently H, OH, SH, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylether, heteroalkyl, —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c), Q, or a protected form thereof, or L′;

R⁴ is, at each occurrence, independently OH, SH, O⁻, S⁻, OR_(d) or SR_(a);

R⁵ is, at each occurrence, independently oxo, thioxo or absent;

R_(a) is O or S;

R_(b) is OH, SH, O⁻, S⁻, OR_(d) or SR_(d);

R_(c) is OH, SH, O⁻, S⁻, OR_(d), OL′, SR_(d), alkyl, alkoxy, heteroalkyl, heteroalkoxy, alkylether, alkoxyalkylether, phosphate, thiophosphate, phosphoalkyl, thiophosphoalkyl, phosphoalkylether or thiophosphoalkylether;

R_(d) is a counter ion;

Q is, at each occurrence, independently a moiety comprising a reactive group, or protected form thereof, capable of forming a covalent bond with an analyte molecule, a targeting moiety, a solid support or a complementary reactive group Q′;

L′ is, at each occurrence, independently a linker comprising a covalent bond to Q, a linker comprising a covalent bond to a targeting moiety, a linker comprising a covalent bond to an analyte molecule, a linker comprising a covalent bond to a solid support, a linker comprising a covalent bond to a solid support residue, a linker comprising a covalent bond to a nucleoside or a linker comprising a covalent bond to a further compound of structure (IV);

m is, at each occurrence, independently an integer of zero or greater; and

n is an integer of one or greater.

In some of the foregoing embodiment, at least one occurrence of L⁴ is heteroalkylene. In some embodiments, each occurrence of L⁴ is heteroalkylene. In more specific embodiments, the heteroalkylene comprises alkylene oxide. In some related embodiments, the heteroalkylene comprises ethylene oxide.

In embodiments, at least one occurrence of L⁴ is alkylene. In some more specific embodiments, at least one alkylene is ethylene. In some embodiments, the alkylene is ethylene at each occurrence.

In some more specific embodiments, the compound has the following structure (IA):

wherein:

z is, at each occurrence, independently an integer from 1 to 100; and

m is, at each occurrence, independently an integer from 0 to 6.

In other embodiments, the compound has the following structure (IIA):

wheren:

z is, at each occurrence, independently an integer from 1 to 100; and

m is, at each occurrence, independently an integer from 0 to 6.

In certain embodiments, the compound has the following structure (III A):

wherein:

L⁴ is —(OCH₂CH₂)_(z)—;

z is, at each occurrence, independently an integer from 1 to 100; and

m is, at each occurrence, independently an integer from 0 to 6.

In certain other embodiments, the compound has the following structure (IVA):

wherein:

L⁴ is —(OCH₂CH₂)_(z)—;

z is, at each occurrence, independently an integer from 1 to 100; and

m is, at each occurrence, independently an integer from 0 to 6.

In some embodiments, z is, at each occurrence, independently an integer from 1 to 30. In certain embodiments, z is, at each occurrence, independently 3 or 6. In other embodiments, m is, at each occurrence, independently an integer from 2-4. In some embodiments, m is 2 at each occurrence.

In some more specific embodiments, the compound has the following structure (IB):

wherein:

x¹, x², x³, and x⁴ are, at each occurrence, independently an integer from 0 to 6.

In certain embodiments, the compound has the following structure (IIB):

wherein:

x¹, x², x³, and x⁴ are, at each occurrence, independently an integer from 0 to 6.

In certain more specific embodiments, the compound has the following structure (IIIB):

wherein:

x¹, x², x³, x⁴, x⁵, and x⁶ are, at each occurrence, independently an integer from 0 to 6.

In certain embodiments, the compound has the following structure (IVB):

wherein:

x¹, x², x³, x⁴, x⁵, and x⁶ are, at each occurrence, independently an integer from 0 to 6.

In certain related embodiments, z is an integer from 3 to 6 at one or more occurrences. In some specific embodiments, x¹ and x³ are both 0 at each occurrence, and x² and x⁴ are both 1 at each occurrence. In some embodiments, x¹, x², x³ and x⁴ are all 1 at each occurrence.

In some embodiments, x¹, x³, and x⁵ are all 1 at each occurrence, and x², x⁴, and x⁶ are all 0 at each occurrence. In certain embodiments, x¹, x², x³, x⁴, x⁵, and x⁶ are all 1 at each occurrence.

In one particular embodiment, L⁴ has the following structure:

wherein:

p is, at each occurrence, independently an integer from 0 to 6; and

y is, at each occurrence, independently an integer from 1 to 100.

In some embodiments, R³ comprises the following structure:

wherein:

p is, at each occurrence, independently an integer from 0 to 6; and

y is, at each occurrence, independently an integer from 1 to 100.

The various linkers and substituents (e.g., M¹, M², M³, Q, R¹, R², R³, R^(c) L¹, L², L³, L⁴, L⁵, L⁵, L⁶, L^(7a), L^(7b), R⁸) in the compounds of structures (I), (II), (III), or (IV) are optionally substituted with one more substituent. For example, in some embodiments the optional substituent is selected to optimize the water solubility or other property of the compounds of structures (I), (II), (III), or (IV). In certain embodiments, each alkyl, alkoxy, alkylether, alkoxyalkylether, phosphoalkyl, thiophosphoalkyl, phosphoalkylether and thiophosphoalkylether in the compounds of structures (I), (II), (III), or (IV) are optionally substituted with one more substituent selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkylether, alkoxyalkylether, sulfhydryl, amino, alkylamino, carboxyl, phosphate, thiophosphate, phosphoalkyl, thiophosphoalkyl, phosphoalkylether and thiophosphoalkylether.

In some embodiments, L¹ or L^(7b) is, at each occurrence, independently an optional alkylene, alkenylene, alkynylene, heteroalkylene, heteroalkenylene, heteroalkynylene, or heteroatomic linker. In some embodiments, L¹ or L^(7b) is a linker comprising a functional group capable of formation by reaction of two complementary reactive groups (e.g., an azide and an alkyne). In some embodiments, L¹ or L^(7b) is, at each occurrence, independently an optional alkylene, alkenylene, alkynylene, heteroalkylene, heteroalkenylene, heteroalkynylene, alkyleneheteroarylenealkylene, alkyleneheterocyclylenealkylene, alkylenecarbocyclylenealkylene, heteroalkyleneheteroarylenealkylene, heteroalkyleneheterocyclylenealkylene, heteroalkylenecarbocyclylenealkylene, heteroalkyleneheteroaryleneheteroalkylene, heteroalkyleneheterocyclyleneheteroalkylene, heteroalkylenecarbocyclyleneheteroalkylene, alkyleneheteroaryleneheteroalkylene, alkyleneheterocyclyleneheteroalkylene, alkylenecarbocyclyleneheteroalkylene, heteroarylene, heterocyclylene, carbocyclylene, alkyleneheteroarylene, alkyleneheterocyclylene, heteroarylenealkylene, alkylenecarbocyclylene, carbocyclylenealkylene, heteroalkyleneheteroarylene, heteroalkyleneheterocyclylene, heteroaryleneheteroalky 1 ene, heteroalkylenecarbocycly 1 ene, carbocyclyleneheteroalkylene, or heteroatomic linker. In some embodiments, L¹ or L^(7b) is optionally substituted.

The optional linkers L¹ and L^(7b) can be used as a point of attachment of the M¹, M², and M³ moieties to the remainder of the compound. For example, in some embodiments a synthetic precursor to the compound of structure (I), (II), (III), or (IV) is prepared, and the M¹, M², and/or M³ moiety is attached to the synthetic precursor using any number of facile methods known in the art, for example methods referred to as “click chemistry.” For this purpose any reaction which is rapid and substantially irreversible can be used to attach M¹, M², or M³ or both to the synthetic precursor to form a compound of structure (I), (II), (III), or (IV). Exemplary reactions include the copper catalyzed reaction of an azide and alkyne to form a triazole (Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition), reaction of a diene and dienophile (Diels-Alder), strain-promoted alkyne-nitrone cycloaddition, reaction of a strained alkene with an azide, tetrazine or tetrazole, alkene and azide [3+2] cycloaddition, alkene and tetrazine inverse-demand Diels-Alder, alkene and tetrazole photoreaction and various displacement reactions, such as displacement of a leaving group by nucleophilic attack on an electrophilic atom. In some embodiments the reaction to form L¹ or L^(7b) may be performed in an aqueous environment.

Accordingly, in some embodiments L¹ or L^(7b) is at each occurrence a linker comprising a functional group capable of formation by reaction of two complementary reactive groups, for example a functional group which is the product of one of the foregoing “click” reactions. In various embodiments, for at least one occurrence of L¹ or L^(7b), the functional group can be formed by reaction of an aldehyde, oxime, hydrazone, alkyne, amine, azide, acylazide, acylhalide, nitrile, nitrone, sulfhydryl, disulfide, sulfonyl halide, isothiocyanate, imidoester, activated ester, ketone, α,β-unsaturated carbonyl, alkene, maleimide, α-haloimide, epoxide, aziridine, tetrazine, tetrazole, phosphine, biotin or thiirane functional group with a complementary reactive group.

In other embodiments, for at least one occurrence of L¹ or L^(7b), the functional group can be formed by reaction of an alkyne and an azide.

In more embodiments, for at least one occurrence of L¹ or L^(7b), the functional group comprises an alkene, ester, amide, thioester, disulfide, carbocyclic, heterocyclic, or heteroaryl group. In some more specific embodiments, for at least one occurrence of L¹ or L^(7b), L¹ or L^(7b) is a linker comprising a triazolyl functional group.

In some embodiments, at least one occurrence of L^(7b)-M³ comprises the following structure:

wherein L^(a) and L^(b) are each independently optional linkers.

In certain embodiments, at least one occurrence of L¹-M¹ or L¹-M² comprises one of the following structures:

wherein L^(a) and L^(b) are each independently optional linkers.

In some embodiments, at least one occurrence of L^(7b)-M³ comprises the following structure:

wherein L^(a) and L^(b) are each independently optional linkers.

In certain embodiments, L^(a) or L^(b), or both, is absent. In some embodiments, L^(a) or L^(b), or both, is present. In some more specific embodiments, L^(a) and L^(b), when present, are each independently alkylene or heteroalkylene. In still other embodiments, L^(a) and L^(b) independently have one of the following structures:

In still other different embodiments, L¹ or L^(7b) is at each occurrence, independently an optional alkylene or heteroalkylene linker.

In some embodiments, at least one occurrence of L¹ has one of the following structures:

wherein

a, b, and c are each independently an integer ranging from 1-6.

In some embodiments, each occurrence of L¹ has one of the following structures:

wherein

a, b, and c are each independently an integer ranging from 1-6.

In some embodiments, at least one occurrence of L¹ has one of the following structures:

In some embodiments, each occurrence of L¹ has one of the following structures:

In some embodiments, L^(7a) comprises an optionally substituted 5-7 membered heteroarylene linker. In certain embodiments, L^(7a) is, at each occurrence independently an optionally substituted 5-7 membered heteroarylene linker. In some more specific embodiments, L^(7a) is a 6-membered heteroarylene. In certain more specific embodiments, L^(7a) comprises two N atoms and two O atoms. In some embodiments, L^(7a) is, at each occurrence, substituted. In certain embodiments, L^(7a) is substituted with at least one oxo. In some more specific embodiments, L^(7a) has one of the following structures:

In still other embodiments, R⁴ is, at each occurrence, independently OH, O⁻ or OR_(d). It is understood that “OR_(d)” and “SR_(d)” are intended to refer to O⁻ and S⁻ associated with a cation. For example, the disodium salt of a phosphate group may be represented as:

where R_(a) is sodium (Na⁺).

In other embodiments, R⁵ is, at each occurrence, oxo.

In some different embodiments of any of the foregoing compounds, R¹ is H.

In other various embodiments, R² and R³ are each independently OH or —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c). In some different embodiments, R² or R³ is OH or —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c), and the other of R² or R³ is Q or a linker comprising a covalent bond to Q. In some embodiments, R² and R³ are each independently —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c). In some specific embodiments, R_(c) is OL¹. In some of those embodiments, L′ is a heteroalkylene linker to: Q, a targeting moiety, an analyte molecule, a solid support, a solid support residue, a nucleoside or a further compound of structure (I), (II), (III), or (IV). In some embodiments, L′ comprises an alkylene oxide or phosphodiester moiety, or combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, L′ has the following structure:

wherein:

m″ and n″ are independently an integer from 1 to 10;

R^(e) is H, an electron pair or a counter ion;

L″ is R^(e) or a direct bond or linkage to: Q, a targeting moiety, an analyte molecule, a solid support, a solid support residue, a nucleoside or a further compound of structure (I), (II), (III), or (IV).

In still other embodiments, Q is, at each occurrence, independently a moiety comprising a reactive group capable of forming a covalent bond with an analyte molecule or a solid support (e.g., controlled pore glass or polystyrene beads). In other embodiments, Q is, at each occurrence, independently a moiety comprising a reactive group capable of forming a covalent bond with a complementary reactive group Q′. For example, in some embodiments, Q′ is present on a further compound of structure (I), (II), (III), or (IV) (e.g., in the R² or R³ position), and Q and Q′ comprise complementary reactive groups such that reaction of the compound of structure (I), (II), (III), or (IV) and the further compound of structure (I), (II), (III), or (IV) results in covalently bound dimer of the compound of structure (I), (II), (III), or (IV). Multimer compounds of structures (I), (II), (III), or (IV), and combinations thereof can also be prepared in an analogous manner and are included within the scope of embodiments of the disclosure.

The type of Q group and connectivity of the Q group to the remainder of the compound of structure (I), (II), (III), or (IV) is not particularly limited, provided that Q comprises a moiety having appropriate reactivity for forming the desired bond.

In certain embodiments, Q is a moiety which is not susceptible to hydrolysis under aqueous conditions, but is sufficiently reactive to form a bond with a corresponding group on an analyte molecule (e.g., a biomolecule) or solid support (e.g., an amine, azide, or alkyne).

Certain embodiments of compounds of structure (I), (II), (III), and/or (IV) comprise Q groups commonly employed in the field of bio-conjugation. For example in some embodiments, Q comprises a nucleophilic reactive group, an electrophilic reactive group or a cycloaddition reactive group. In some more specific embodiments, Q comprises a sulfhydryl, disulfide, activated ester, isothiocyanate, azide, alkyne, alkene, diene, dienophile, acid halide, sulfonyl halide, phosphine, α-haloamide, biotin, amino, or maleimide functional group. In some embodiments, the activated ester is an N-succinimide ester, imidoester, or polyflourophenyl ester. In other embodiments, the alkyne is an alkyl azide or acyl azide. In some embodiments, Q comprises a maleimide functional group.

Exemplary Q moieties are provided in Table I below.

TABLE 1 Exemplary Q Moieties Structure Class

Sulfhydryl

Isothiocyanate

Imidoester

Acyl Azide

Activated Ester

Activated Ester

Activated Ester

Activated Ester

Activated Ester

Activated Ester

Sulfonyl halide

Maleimide

Maleimide

α-haloimide

Disulfide

Phosphine

Azide

Alkyne

Biotin

Diene

Alkene/dienophile

Alkene/dienophile —NH₂ Amino

It should be noted that in some embodiments, wherein Q is SH, the SH moiety will tend to form disulfide bonds with another sulfhydryl group on another compound of structure (I), (II), (III), or (IV). Accordingly, some embodiments include compounds of structure (I), (II), (III), or (IV), which are in the form of disulfide dimers, the disulfide bond being derived from SH Q groups.

In some other embodiments, one of R² or R³ is OH or —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c), and the other of R² or R³ is a linker comprising a covalent bond to an analyte molecule or a linker comprising a covalent bond to a solid support. For example, in some embodiments the analyte molecule is a nucleic acid or a polymer thereof or an amino acid or a polymer thereof. In other embodiments, the analyte molecule is an enzyme, receptor, receptor ligand, antibody, glycoprotein, aptamer or prion. In still different embodiments, the solid support is a polymeric bead or non-polymeric bead. In some embodiments, the targeting moiety is an antibody or cell surface receptor antagonist.

In certain specific embodiments, R² or R³ has one of the following structures:

In some embodiments, one of R² or R³ is OH or —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c), and the other of R² or R³ comprises the following structure:

The value for m is another variable that can be selected based on the desired distance between chromophores, FRET interaction, fluorescence, and/or color intensity. In some embodiments, m is, at each occurrence, independently an integer from 1 to 10. In other embodiments, m is, at each occurrence, independently an integer from 1 to 5, for example 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

The fluorescence intensity can also be tuned by selection of different values of n. In certain embodiments, n is an integer from 1 to 100. In other embodiments, n is an integer from 1 to 10.

M¹, M², and M³ are selected based on the desired optical properties, for example based on a desired Stake's shift, absorbance/emission overlap, a particular color and/or fluorescence emission wavelength. In some embodiments, M¹, M², or M³ are the same at each occurrence; however, it is important to note that each occurrence of M¹, M², or M³ need not be an identical M¹, M², or M³, respectively. Certain embodiments include compounds wherein M¹, M², or M³ is not the same at each occurrence. Some embodiments include compounds wherein each respective M¹, M², or M³ is the same at each occurrence.

In some embodiments M¹, M², and M³ are selected to have absorbance and/or emission characteristics for use in FRET methods. For example, in such embodiments the different M¹, M², and M³ moieties are selected such that M¹ has an absorbance of radiation at one wavelength that induces an emission of radiation by M² or M³ at a different wavelength by a FRET mechanism. Exemplary M¹, M², and M³ moieties can be appropriately selected by one of ordinary skill in the art based on the desired end use.

Each respective M¹, M², and M³ may be attached to the remainder of the molecule from any position (i.e., atom) on M¹, M², or M³. One of skill in the art will recognize means for attaching M¹, M², or M³ to the remainder of molecule. Exemplary methods include the “click” reactions described herein.

In some embodiments, M¹, M², or M³ are FRET, fluorescent, or colored moieties. Any fluorescent and/or colored moiety may be used to form a FRET donor-acceptor pair, for examples those known in the art and typically employed in colorimetric, UV, and/or fluorescent assays may be used. In some embodiments, M¹, M², M³, or all are, at each occurrence, independently fluorescent or colored. Examples of M¹, M², or M³ moieties which are useful in various embodiments of the disclosure include, but are not limited to: Xanthene derivatives (e.g., fluorescein, rhodamine, Oregon green, eosin, or Texas red); Cyanine derivatives (e.g., cyanine, indocarbocyanine, oxacarbocyanine, thiacarbocyanine, or merocyanine); Squaraine derivatives and ring-substituted squaraines, including Seta, SeTau, and Square dyes; Naphthalene derivatives (e.g., dansyl and prodan derivatives); Coumarin derivatives; oxadiazole derivatives (e.g., pyridyloxazole, nitrobenzoxadiazole, or benzoxadiazole); Anthracene derivatives (e.g., anthraquinones, including DRAQ5, DRAQ7, and CyTRAK Orange); Pyrene derivatives such as cascade blue; Oxazine derivatives (e.g., Nile red, Nile blue, cresyl violet, oxazine 170); Acridine derivatives (e.g., proflavin, acridine orange, acridine yellow); Arylmethine derivatives: auramine, crystal violet, malachite green; and Tetrapyrrole derivatives (e.g., porphin, phthalocyanine or bilirubin). Other exemplary M¹, M², or M³ moieties include: Cyanine dyes, xanthate dyes (e.g., Hex, Vic, Nedd, Joe or Tet); Yakima yellow; Redmond red; tamra; texas red and Alexa Fluor® dyes.

In still other embodiments of any of the foregoing, M¹, M², or M³, or both, at each occurrence, independently comprise two or more aryl or heteroaryl rings, or combinations thereof, for example three or more or four or more aryl or heteroaryl rings, or combinations thereof, or even five or more aryl or heteroaryl rings, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, M¹, M², M³, or all, at each occurrence, independently comprise six aryl or heteroaryl rings, or combinations thereof. In further embodiments, the rings are fused. For example in some embodiments, M¹, M², or M³ or both, at each occurrence, independently comprise two or more fused rings, three or more fused rings, four or more fused rings, five or more fused rings, or even six or more fused rings.

In some embodiments, M¹, M², M³, or all, are cyclic. For example, in some embodiments M¹, M², M³, or all, are carbocyclic. In other embodiment, M¹, M², M³, or all are heterocyclic. In still other embodiments of the foregoing, M¹, M², M³, or all, at each occurrence, independently comprise an aryl moiety. In some of these embodiments, the aryl moiety is multicyclic. In other more specific examples, the aryl moiety is a fused-multicyclic aryl moiety, for example which may comprise at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, or even more than 4 aryl rings.

In other embodiments of any of the foregoing compounds of structure (I), (II), (III), or (IV) M¹, M², M³, or all, at each occurrence, independently comprise at least one heteroatom. For example, in some embodiments, the heteroatom is nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur.

In still more embodiments of any of the foregoing, M¹, M², M³, or all, at each occurrence, independently comprise at least one substituent. For example, in some embodiments the substituent is a fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, hydroxy, sulfhydryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, phenyl, aryl, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, isopropyl, t-butyl, carboxy, sulfonate, amide, or formyl group.

In some embodiments, at least one combination of M¹ and M² or at least one combination of M¹ and M³ are a FRET pair with a J-value greater than about 1×10¹⁰.

Compounds of the present disclosure find utility as fluorescent and/or colored dyes with high quantum efficiencies. This is due, in part, to the overlap of the emission spectrum of a donor moiety (e.g., M¹) with the absorbance or excitation spectrum of an acceptor moiety (e.g., M² or M³). Accordingly, some embodiments provide a FRET pair having a J-value greater than about 1×10¹¹. In more specific embodiments, the FRET pair has a J-value greater than about 1×10¹². In certain embodiments, the FRET pair has a J-value greater than about 1.2×10¹². In some embodiments, the FRET pair has a J-value greater than about 1.5×10¹².

In some more specific embodiments, M¹, M², or M³ at each occurrence, independently comprises a fused-multicyclic aryl moiety comprising at least two fused rings.

In certain specific embodiments, M¹, M², or M³ are, at each occurrence, independently selected from the group consisting of a dimethylaminostilbene, quinacridone, fluorophenyl-dimethyl-BODIPY, his-fluorophenyl-BODIPY, acridine, terrylene, sexiphenyl, porphyrin, benzopyrene, (fluorophenyl-dimethyl-difluorobora-diaza-indacene)phenyl, (bis-fluorophenyl-difluorobora-diaza-indacene)phenyl, quaterphenyl, bi-benzothiazole, ter-benzothiazole, bi-naphthyl, bi-anthracyl, squaraine, squarylium, 9,10-ethynylanthracene, and ter-naphthyl moiety.

In some embodiments, M¹, M², or M³ are, at each occurrence, independently selected from the group consisting of p-terphenyl, perylene, azobenzene, phenazine, phenanthroline, acridine, thioxanthrene, chrysene, rubrene, coronene, cyanine, perylene imide, perylene amide, and derivatives thereof. In some embodiments, M¹, M², or M³ are, at each occurrence, independently selected from the group consisting of a coumarin dye, resorufin dye, dipyrrometheneboron difluoride dye, ruthenium bipyridyl dye, thiazole orange dye, polymethine, and N-aryl-1,8-naphthalimide dye. In certain embodiments, M¹, M², or M³ are, at each occurrence, independently selected from the group consisting of a coumarin dye, boron-dipyrromethene, rhodamine, cyanine, pyrene, perylene, perylene monoimide, 6-FAM, 5-FAM, 6-FITC, 5-FITC, and derivatives thereof.

In some embodiments, M¹, M², or M³ at each occurrence, independently have one of the following structures:

In some embodiments, M¹, M², or M³ at each occurrence, independently have one of the following structures:

In some embodiments, each occurrence of L⁸ independently comprises one or more fused, aryl, or heteroaryl ring systems. In certain embodiments, each occurrence of L⁸ independently comprises one or more, fused, bicyclic or tricyclic, aryl, or heteroaryl ring system. In certain embodiments, the one or more, fused, bicyclic or tricyclic, aryl, or heteroaryl ring system has one of the following structures:

wherein:

a¹, a² and a³ are, at each occurrence, independently a 5, 6 or 7-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; and

L⁶ is a direct bond or a linker.

In certain specific embodiments, L⁸, at each occurrence, independently has one of the following structures:

In some embodiments, each occurrence of L⁸ independently comprises a phosphodiester. In certain embodiments, at least one occurrence of L⁸ comprises ethylene oxide. In more specific embodiments, at least one occurrence of L⁸ comprises one of the following structures:

wherein:

g is an integer ranging from 1-10; and

z′ is an integer ranging from 1-30.

In some of the foregoing embodiments, z′ is 3, 6, or 11-28. In some embodiments, g ranges from 2-5. In other more specific embodiments, at least one occurrence of L⁸ comprises the following structure:

In certain embodiments, each occurrence of L⁸ comprises the following structure:

In some specific embodiments, the compound is a compound selected from Table 2. In other specific embodiments, the compound is a compound selected from Table 3. The compounds in Tables 2 and 3 were prepared according to the procedures set forth in the Examples and their identity confirmed by mass spectrometry.

TABLE 2 Exemplary Compounds of Structures I, II, III, and IV Nos. Structure I-1

I-2

I-3

I-4

I-5

I-6

I-7

I-8

I-9

I-10

I-11

I-12

I-13

I-14

I-15

I-16

TABLE 3 Exemplary Precursor Compounds Structure

As used in Tables 2 and 3 above and throughout this disclosure, F and F′ refer to a fluorescein moiety have the following structures, respectively:

As used in Table 2 above and throughout this disclosure, Bs refers to a moiety having the following structure:

As used in Table 2 above and throughout this disclosure, FITC refers to a moiety having the following structure:

As used in Table 2 above and throughout this disclosure, AF555 refers to a moiety having the following structure:

As used in Table 2 above and throughout this disclosure, Cy3 refers to a moiety having one of the following structures:

As used in Table 2 above and throughout this disclosure, AF700 refers to the fluorescent dye, Alexa Fluor 700 having a CAS Registry No. of 1246956-22-8.

As used in Table 2 above and throughout this disclosure, AF680 refers to a moiety having the following structure:

As used in Table 2 above and throughout this disclosure, AF647 refers to a moiety having the following structure:

As used in Table 2 above and throughout this disclosure, AF350 refers to a moiety having the following structure:

As used in Table 2 above and throughout this disclosure, PB refers to a moiety having the following structure:

As used in Table 2 above and throughout this disclosure, AF594 refers to a moiety having the following structure:

As used in Table 2 above and throughout this disclosure dT refers to the following structure:

wherein:

R is H or a direct bond.

Alternatively, for any of the embodiments of dye moieties disclosed herein, the oxo moiety

may be replaced with a direct bond to the remainder of the molecule. In some of the foregoing embodiments, L¹ is alkylene, e.g., methylene or ethylene.

The presently disclosed dye combinations are “tunable,” meaning that by proper selection of the variables in any of the foregoing compounds, one of skill in the art can arrive at a compound having a desired and/or predetermined FRET properties (e.g., fluorescence emission signal, Stake's shift). The “tunability” of the compounds allows the user to easily arrive at compounds having the desired Stake's shift, fluorescence signal and/or color for use in a particular assay or for identifying a specific analyte of interest. Although all variables may have an effect on the FRET properties of the compounds, proper selection of M¹, M², M³, L⁴, m, and n is believed to play an important role in the molar fluorescence of the compounds. Accordingly, in one embodiment is provided a method for obtaining a compound having a desired FRET fluorescence properties, the method comprising selecting M¹, M², and M³ moieties having known interactive properties, preparing a compound of structure (I), (II), (III), or (IV) comprising the M¹, M², and M³ moieties, and selecting the appropriate variables for L⁴, m, and n to arrive at the desired FRET properties (e.g., Stake's shift, reduction of donor emission signal).

FRET fluorescence emission signal in certain embodiments can be expressed in terms of the fold increase or decrease relative to the FRET fluorescence emission signal of the parent fluorophore(s) (e.g., monomers). In some embodiments the FRET fluorescence emission signal of the present compounds is 1.1×, 1.5×, 2×, 3×, 4×, 5×, 6×, 7×, 8×, 9×, 10×, or greater than 10× relative to the parent chromophore(s)/fluorophore(s). Various embodiments include preparing compounds having the desired fold increase in fluorescence relative to the parent fluorophore by proper selection of L⁴, m, and n.

For ease of illustration, various compounds comprising phosphorous moieties (e.g., phosphate and the like) are depicted in the anionic state (e.g., —OPO(OH)O⁻, —OPO₃ ²⁻). One of skill in the art will readily understand that the charge is dependent on pH and the uncharged (e.g., protonated or salt, such as sodium or other cation) forms are also included in the scope of embodiments of the disclosure.

Compositions comprising any of the foregoing compounds and one or more analyte molecules (e.g., biomolecules) are provided in various other embodiments. In some embodiments, use of such compositions in analytical methods for detection of the one or more analyte molecules is also provided.

In still other embodiments, the compounds are useful in various analytical methods. For example, in certain embodiments the disclosure provides a method of staining a sample, the method comprising adding to said sample a compound of any of the foregoing embodiments (e.g., a compound of structure (I), (II), (III), or (IV)), in an amount sufficient to produce an optical response when said sample is illuminated at an appropriate wavelength.

In some embodiments of the foregoing methods, R² is a linker comprising a covalent linkage to an analyte molecule, such as a biomolecule. For example, a nucleic acid or polymer thereof, or an amino acid or a polymer thereof (e.g., polynucleotide or polypeptide). In still more embodiments, the biomolecule is an enzyme, receptor, receptor ligand, antibody, glycoprotein, aptamer, or prion.

In yet other embodiments of the foregoing method, R² is a linker comprising a covalent linkage to a solid support such as a microparticle (e.g., controlled pore glass or polystyrene beads). For example, in some embodiments the microparticle is a polymeric bead or non-polymeric bead.

In even more embodiments, the optical response is a fluorescent response.

In other embodiments, said sample comprises cells, and some embodiments further comprise observing said cells by flow cytometry.

In still more embodiments, the method further comprises distinguishing the fluorescence response from that of a second fluorophore having detectably different optical properties.

In other embodiments, the disclosure provides a method for visually detecting an analyte molecule, such as a biomolecule, comprising:

(a) providing a polymer compound according to the foregoing embodiments (e.g., structure (I), (II), (III) or (IV)), wherein the polymer compound comprises covalent bond to the analyte molecule (e.g., one of R² or R³ is a linker comprising a covalent bond to the analyte molecule, and the other of R² or R³ is H, OH, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylether or —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c)); and

(b) detecting the compound by its visible properties.

In some embodiments the analyte molecule is a nucleic acid or polymer thereof, or an amino acid or a polymer thereof (e.g., polynucleotide or polypeptide). In still more embodiments, the analyte molecule is an enzyme, receptor, receptor ligand, antibody, glycoprotein, aptamer, or prion.

In other embodiments, a method for visually detecting an analyte molecule, such as a biomolecule is provided, the method comprising:

-   -   (a) admixing any of the foregoing polymer compounds wherein the         compound comprises a covalent bond to Q selected from Table 1,         with the analyte molecules; and     -   (b) forming a bio-conjugate of the polymer compound and the         analyte molecule; and     -   (c) detecting the bio-conjugate by its visible properties.

Some embodiments provide use of the composition in an analytical method for detection of the one or more analyte molecules.

In addition to the above methods, embodiments of the compounds of structure (I), (II), (III) and (IV) find utility in various disciplines and methods, including but not limited to: imaging in endoscopy procedures for identification of cancerous and other tissues; single-cell and/or single molecule analytical methods, for example detection of polynucleotides with little or no amplification; cancer imaging, for example by conjugating a compound of structure (I), (II), (III) and (IV) to an antibody or sugar or other moiety that preferentially binds cancer cells; imaging in surgical procedures; binding of histones for identification of various diseases; drug delivery, for example by replacing the M¹, M² and/or M³ moiety in a compound of structure (I), (II), (III) and (IV) with an active drug moiety; and/or contrast agents in dental work and other procedures, for example by preferential binding of the compound of structure (I), (II), (III) and (IV) to various flora and/or organisms.

It is understood that any embodiment of the compounds of structure (I), (II), (III) and (IV), as set forth above, and any specific choice set forth herein for a R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, L¹, L², L³, L⁴, L⁵, L⁶, L^(7a), L^(7b), L⁸, M¹, M², M³, m, and/or n variable in the compounds of structures (I), (II), (III) or (IV), as set forth above, may be independently combined with other embodiments and/or variables of the compounds of structures (I), (II), (III) and (IV) to form embodiments of the disclosure not specifically set forth above. In addition, in the event that a list of choices is listed for any particular R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, L¹, L², L³, L⁴, L⁵, L⁶, L^(7a), L^(7b), L⁸, M¹, M², M³, m, and/or n variable in a particular embodiment and/or claim, it is understood that each individual choice may be deleted from the particular embodiment and/or claim and that the remaining list of choices will be considered to be within the scope of the disclosure.

It is understood that in the present description, combinations of substituents and/or variables of the depicted formulae are permissible only if such contributions result in stable compounds.

It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that in the process described herein the functional groups of intermediate compounds may need to be protected by suitable protecting groups. Such functional groups include hydroxy, amino, mercapto and carboxylic acid. Suitable protecting groups for hydroxy include trialkylsilyl or diarylalkylsilyl (for example, t-butyldimethylsilyl, t-butyldiphenyl silyl or trimethyl silyl), tetrahydropyranyl, benzyl, and the like. Suitable protecting groups for amino, amidino and guanidino include t-butoxy carbonyl, benzyloxycarbonyl, and the like. Suitable protecting groups for mercapto include —C(O)—R″ (where R″ is alkyl, aryl or arylalkyl), t-methoxybenzyl, trityl and the like. Suitable protecting groups for carboxylic acid include alkyl, aryl or arylalkyl esters. Protecting groups may be added or removed in accordance with standard techniques, which are known to one skilled in the art and as described herein. The use of protecting groups is described in detail in Green, T. W. and P. G. M. Wutz, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis (1999), 3rd Ed., Wiley. As one of skill in the art would appreciate, the protecting group may also be a polymer resin such as a Wang resin, Rink resin or a 2-chlorotrityl-chloride resin.

Furthermore, all compounds of the disclosure which exist in free base or acid form can be converted to their salts by treatment with the appropriate inorganic or organic base or acid by methods known to one skilled in the art. Salts of the compounds of the disclosure can be converted to their free base or acid form by standard techniques.

The following Reaction Schemes illustrate exemplary methods of making compounds of this disclosure. It is understood that one skilled in the art may be able to make these compounds by similar methods or by combining other methods known to one skilled in the art. It is also understood that one skilled in the art would be able to make, in a similar manner as described below, other compounds of structure (I), (II), (III), or (IV) not specifically illustrated below by using the appropriate starting components and modifying the parameters of the synthesis as needed. In general, starting components may be obtained from sources such as Sigma Aldrich, Lancaster Synthesis, Inc., Maybridge, Matrix Scientific, TCI, and Fluorochem USA, etc. or synthesized according to sources known to those skilled in the art (see, for example, Advanced Organic Chemistry: Reactions, Mechanisms, and Structure, 5th edition (Wiley, December 2000)) or prepared as described in this disclosure.

In particular, methods for preparing embodiments of the compounds disclosed herein (e.g., structures (I), (II), (III), and (IV)) can be found, for example, in PCT Pub. Nos. WO 2015/027176, WO 2016/138461, WO 2016/183185, WO 2017/173348, WO 2017/173355, WO 2017/177065, WO 2017/196954, WO 2017/214165, and WO 2018/022925, each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Reaction Scheme I illustrates an exemplary method for preparing an intermediate useful for preparation of compounds of structures (I), (II), (III), and (IV), where R¹, L², and L³ are as defined above, R² and R³ are as defined above or are protected variants thereof and L is an optional linker. Referring to Reaction Scheme 1, compounds of structure a can be purchased or prepared by methods well-known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Reaction of a with M-X, where X is a halogen such as bromo, under Suzuki coupling conditions known in the art results in compounds of structure b. Compounds of structure b can be used for preparation of compounds of structures (I), (II), (III), or (IV) as described below.

Reaction Scheme II illustrates an alternative method for preparation of intermediates useful for preparation of compounds of structures (I), (II), (III), and (IV). Referring to reaction Scheme II, where R¹, L¹, L², L³, and G as defined above, and R² and R³ are as defined above or are protected variants thereof, a compound of structure c, which can be purchased or prepared by well-known techniques, is reacted with M-G′ to yield compounds of structure d. Here, G and G′ represent functional groups having complementary reactivity (i.e., functional groups which react to form a covalent bond). G′ may be pendant to M or a part of the structural backbone of M. G may be any number of functional groups described herein, such as an alkyne or amine.

The compound of structures (I), (II), (III), and (IV) may be prepared from one of structures b or d by reaction under well-known automated DNA synthesis conditions with a phosphoramidite compound having the following structure (e):

wherein each X is independently a desired monomer unit (e.g., a dye containing moiety, a linker, etc.).

DNA synthesis methods are well-known in the art. Briefly, two alcohol groups, for example R² and R³ in intermediates b or d above, are functionalized with a dimethoxytrityl (DMT) group and a 2-cyanoethyl-N,N-diisopropylamino phosphoramidite group, respectively. The phosphoramidite group is coupled to an alcohol group, typically in the presence of an activator such as tetrazole, followed by oxidation of the phosphorous atom with iodine. The dimethoxytrityl group can be removed with acid (e.g., chloroacetic acid) to expose the free alcohol, which can be reacted with a phosphoramidite group. The 2-cyanoethyl group can be removed after oligomerization by treatment with aqueous ammonia.

Preparation of the phosphoramidites used in the oligomerization methods is also well-known in the art. For example, a primary alcohol (e.g., R³) can be protected as a DMT group by reaction with DMT-Cl. A secondary alcohol (e.g., R²) is then functionalized as a phosphoramidite by reaction with an appropriate reagent such as 2-cyanoethyl N,N-dissopropylchlorophosphoramidite. Methods for preparation of phosphoramidites and their oligomerization are well-known in the art and described in more detail in the examples.

Compounds of structures (I), (II), (III), and (IV) are prepared by oligomerization of intermediates b or d and e according to the well-known phophoramidite chemistry described above. The desired number of m and n repeating units is incorporated into the molecule by repeating the phosphoramidite coupling the desired number of times.

In various other embodiments, compounds useful for preparation of the compound of structures (I), (II), (III), and (IV) are provided. The compounds can be prepared as described above in monomer, dimer and/or oligomeric form and then the M¹, M², and/or M³ moieties covalently attached to the compound via any number of synthetic methodologies (e.g., the “click” reactions described above) to form compounds of structures (I), (II), (III), and (IV).

The efficiency of the FRET process depends, in part, on characteristics of the chromophores. Specifically, high efficiency FRET requires a large overlap between the absorbance spectrum of the donor chromophore and the emission spectrum of the acceptor chromophore (i.e., the J-value). Additionally, the distance and orientation of the chromophores plays an important role. FRET efficiency is inversely proportional to the 6^(th) power of the distance between the chromophores and the angle of the transition dipole moment should substantially align to be parallel or antiparallel (i.e., be near to 0° or 180°). Accordingly, in certain embodiments, covalent attachments of a first and a second chromophore to the polymer backbone are selected so distance between the first and second chromophore is minimized and transition dipole moments substantially align. The efficiency of FRET can be expressed according to the following equation:

$E_{{FRET} =}\frac{Ro^{6}}{{Ro^{6}} + R^{6}}$ wherein E_(FRET) is FRET efficiency, R is the distance between chromophores, and Ro is expressed according to the following equation: Ro=(8.8×10²³ JK ² Q _(o) n ⁻⁴)^(1/6) wherein J is the spectral overlap of the absorbance spectrum of the acceptor and the emission spectrum of the donor, Q_(o) is donor quantum efficiency, n⁻⁴ is the index of medium between the donor and acceptor (constant), and K² is the dipole directions matching.

Accordingly, one embodiment provides a polymer compound comprising an acceptor chromophore having an acceptor transition dipole moment and being covalently linked to a polymer backbone and a donor chromophore having a donor transition dipole moment and being covalently linked to the polymer backbone, wherein the acceptor chromophore and donor chromophore have a J-value greater than about 1×10¹⁰ and the polymer compound adopts a confirmation in solution at physiological conditions wherein the effective distance between the acceptor chromophore and the donor chromophore is less than about 50.0 nm and the acceptor transition dipole and the donor transition dipole are substantially parallel or substantially antiparallel.

In some embodiments, the acceptor chromophore and donor chromophore have a J-value greater than about 1×10¹¹. In certain embodiments, the acceptor chromophore and donor chromophore have a J-value greater than about 1×10¹². In some more specific embodiments, the acceptor chromophore and donor chromophore have a J-value greater than about 1.2×10¹². In certain more specific embodiments, the acceptor chromophore and donor chromophore have a J-value greater than about 1.5×10¹².

In some embodiments, the effective distance between the acceptor chromophore and the donor chromophore is less than about 25.0 nm. In certain embodiments, the effective distance between the acceptor chromophore and the donor chromophore is less than about 10.0 nm.

In some embodiments, the acceptor chromophore is a fluorescent dye moiety. In certain embodiments, the acceptor chromophore has an emission maxima ranging from about 480 nm to about 740 nm. In more specific embodiments, the acceptor chromophore has an emission maximum of about 488 nm, about 500 nm, about 506 nm, about 519 nm, about 522 nm, about 528 nm, about 564 nm, about 573, about 591 nm, about 603 nm, about 616 nm, about 622 nm, about 640 nm, about 650 nm, about 666 nm, about 679 nm, 714 nm, or about 731 nm.

In some embodiments, the acceptor chromophore has one of the following structures:

In some embodiments, the donor chromophore is a fluorescent dye moiety. In certain embodiments, the donor chromophore has an absorbance maximum at about 350 nm, at about 405 nm or at about 488 nm. In some more specific embodiments, the donor chromophore has one of the following structures:

In some embodiments, the acceptor chromophore and the donor chromophore are both fluorescent dye moieties.

In certain embodiments, the angle between the acceptor transition dipole moment and the donor transition dipole moment ranges from 120° to 180°. In some more specific embodiments, the angle between the acceptor transition dipole moment and the donor transition dipole moment ranges from 0° to 60°. In certain more specific embodiments, the polymer compound further comprises a first acceptor chromophore is covalently linked at a proximal end of the polymer backbone, and a second acceptor chromophore is covalently linked at a distal end of the polymer backbone; and donor chromophore is covalently linked between the proximal and distal ends of the polymer backbone.

In more specific embodiments, the first acceptor chromophore and the 15 second acceptor chromophore are the same. In some embodiments, the polymer backbone comprises a phosphate linker. In more embodiments, the polymer backbone comprises an alkylene oxide linker. In some embodiments, the alkylene oxide is ethylene oxide.

In some embodiments, the polymer compound has a molecular weight less than 20,000 g/mol. In some embodiments, the polymer compound has a molecular weight less than 19,000 g/mol, 18,500 g/mol, 18,000 g/mol, 17,500 g/mol, 17,000 g/mol, 16,500 g/mol, 16,000 g/mol, 15,500 g/mol, 15,000 g/mol, 14,500 g/mol, 14,000 g/mol, 13,500 g/mol, 13,000 g/mol, 12,500 g/mol, 11,500 g/mol, 11,000 g/mol, 10,500 g/mol, 10,000 g/mol, 9,500 g/mol, 9,000 g/mol, 8,500 g/mol, 8,000 g/mol, 7,500 g/mol, 7,000 g/mol, 6,500 g/mol, 6,000 g/mol, 5,500 g/mol, 5,000 g/mol, 4,500 g/mol, 4,000 g/mol, 3,500 g/mol, 3,000 g/mol, 2,500 g/mol, 2,000 g/mol, 1,500 g/mol, or 1,000 g/mol.

In some embodiments the polymer compound is not a peptide or protein. In some other embodiments, the polymer backbone has no amide bonds.

The following Examples are provided for purposes of illustration, not limitation.

EXAMPLES General Methods

Mass spectral analysis was performed on a Waters/Micromass Quattro micro MS/MS system (in MS only mode) using MassLynx 4.1 acquisition software. Mobile phase used for LC/MS on dyes was 100 mM 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP), 8.6 mM triethylamine (TEA), pH 8. Phosphoramidites and precursor molecules were also analyzed using a Waters Acquity UHPLC system with a 2.1 mm×50 mm Acquity BEH-C₁₈ column held at 45° C., employing an acetonitrile/water mobile phase gradient. Molecular weights for monomer intermediates were obtained using tropylium cation infusion enhanced ionization on a Waters/Micromass Quattro micro MS/MS system (in MS only mode). Excitation and emission profiles experiments were recorded on a Cary Eclipse spectra photometer.

All reactions were carried out in oven dried glassware under a nitrogen atmosphere unless otherwise stated. Commercially available DNA synthesis reagents were purchased from Glen Research (Sterling, Va.). Anhydrous pyridine, toluene, dichloromethane, diisopropylethyl amine, triethylamine, acetic acid, pyridine, and THF were purchased from Aldrich. All other chemicals were purchased from Aldrich or TCI and were used as is with no additional purification.

Example 1 Synthesis of Polymer Backbone and Derivatization

Synthesis of Representative Polymer Compounds

Polymers are synthesized using an Applied Biosystems 394 DNA/RNA synthesizer on a 0.5-1 μmol scale. The polymer compounds are synthesized directly on CPG beads or a polystyrene solid support. Synthesis is carried out in the 3′ to 5′ direction using standard solid phase DNA synthetic methodology (i.e., P-cyanoethyl phosphoramidite coupling chemistry). Monomer reagents (e.g., Fluoroside phosphoramidites, C₂ alkyl phosphoramidite, hexaethylene glycol phosphoramidite, amino phosphoramidites, and alkyne phosphoramidites) are dissolved in acetonitrile and dichloromethane to make a 0.1 M stock solution. Monomer reagents are added in successive order using the following synthesis cycle:

1) removal of the 5′-dimethoxytrityl protecting group with dichloroacetic acid in dichloromethane or toluene;

2) coupling the next phosphoramidite monomer reagent with activator reagent (0.2 M ETT) in acetonitrile;

3) oxidation of phosphate (III) to form stable phosphate (V) with iodine/pyridine/water; and

4) capping unreacted 5′-hydroxyl groups with acetic anhydride/1-methylimidizole/acetonitrile.

The synthesis cycle is repeated until the desired polymer compound is assembled (e.g., compounds of Table 2 or 3). Upon completion, the terminal monomethoxytrityl (MMT) group or dimethoxytrityl (DMT) group is removed using dichloroacetic acid in dichloromethane or toluene. Following synthesis, the support is treated with 20% diethylamine in acetonitrile for 15 minutes.

The polymers are then cleaved from the solid support using concentrated aqueous ammonium hydroxide at 55° C. for 2 hours. Constructs are characterized by ESI-MS to confirm mass and purity. Concentration is determined by UV.

Chromophore Coupling to Amine/Alkyne Polymer Compounds

Representative polymer constructs are synthesized to have orthogonal reactive groups (e.g., amine and alkyne) so distinct dyes moieties could be added. For instance, click chemistry was used to attach a first fluorophore to alkynes of the polymer and in a later synthetic step a second fluorophore is attached to amines of the polymer. Alternatively, fluorophores can be added during the DNA synthetic step by inclusion of a fluorophore containing phosphoramidite during step 2 described above.

For the post synthetic modifications, a 100 mM sodium ascorbate solution and 500 mM phosphate buffer pH 7.6 are prepared. A first desired dye moiety comprising an azide functional group is dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide at a concentration of 100 mM (“dye solution”).

The 100 mM sodium ascorbate solution (i.e., a 2.5:1:1 mixture of 100 mM sodium ascorbate/100 mM THTPA/50 mM copper sulfate) is prepared by adding equal volumes of THTPA and copper sulfate and allowing the mixture to sit for 5-10 minutes followed by the addition of sodium ascorbate.

The phosphate buffer, dye solution, polymer compound, and extra DMSO are mixed together followed by the sodium ascorbate solution. Reactions are prepared having final polymer concentration of 0.5 mM, phosphate buffer concentration of 100 mM, 50-60% DMSO and 5-10 fold excess dye. Reactions are placed in the dark overnight on a rotator or vortex. Samples are diluted with water and desalted using G-Sephadex resin. Samples are collected and characterized by ESI-MS to confirm mass and purity. Following sample analysis the polymer compounds are lyophilized.

Addition of a second desired dye moiety (e.g., fluorophore or other label) to representative polymer compounds is achieved using NHS-ester/amine coupling chemistry. A sodium tetraborate buffer pH 9 stock solution (“borate buffer”) is initially prepared. A second dye moiety comprising an NHS-ester is dissolved at a concentration of 100-200 mM in DMSO. Reactions are prepared to have a polymer concentration of 1-2 mM, a borate buffer concentration of 100 mM, 30-75% DMSO, and a 5-10-fold excess of dye. Reactions are placed in the dark overnight on a rotator or vortex. Samples are diluted with water and desalted using G-25 Sephadex resin. Samples are collected and characterized by ESI-MS to confirm mass and purity. Additionally, characterization by UV and fluorescence spectroscopy is used to determine FRET properties.

Example 2 Compound Emission Characterization

Representative polymer compounds of structure (III) (compounds I-1, I-3, I-5 and I-7) and structure (IV) (compounds I-2, I-4, I-6 and I-8) were prepared according to the methods described herein in Example 1. Compounds of structure (III) where synthesized wherein the M² moiety, being a donor chromophore, was Cy3. Compounds of structure (IV) where synthesized wherein the M³ moiety, being a donor chromophore, was AF555. It is well established in the art that Cy3 and AF555 are spectrally equivalent as isolated species, and this study allows for preliminary evaluation of spectroscopic differences in more complex environments. Chromophores for each of the two M¹ moieties in each compound were selected from AF680, AF647, AF594 and AF700 and were the same in each compound.

Test compounds were prepared in solution at concentrations between 1 and 10 μM and a pH of 7.0. Samples were tested using an excitation wavelength of 488 nm and the resultant spectra are shown in FIGS. 2 through 9. As the data show, the emission signals from the acceptor chromophores are substantially similar, however certain embodiments demonstrate better energy transfer from the donor to acceptor chromophores as evidenced by lessened relative fluorescence from the donor fluorophore, see for example, the smaller emission peaks in FIG. 4 (better energy transfer) relative to the equivalent peak in FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 provides a positional overly of the emission spectra for the compounds of structure (III) and demonstrates the range of Stokes shift observed for the different embodiments of the invention. As determined from the emission maximum relative to the excitation wavelength, the Stokes shift for compounds I-7, I-1, I-3 and I-5 were 243 nm, 226 nm, 191 nm and 134 nm, respectively.

Example 3 Demonstration of Efficient FRET Emission

To demonstrate high efficiency emission due to FRET for embodiments of the invention, the emission spectra of Compound I-10, containing donor and acceptor chromophores was compared to a related compound devoid of a donor chromophore, but containing the same type and number of acceptor chromophores.

Compound I-10 was prepared according to the methods described herein in Example 1 and was synthesized having the donor chromophore AF350. The acceptor chromophore present on both ends of the molecule was the fluorescein derivative, FITC.

The di-fluorescein comparison compound, Compound A, which is devoid of a donor chromophore is provided below:

wherein F is the fluorescein moiety:

Test compounds were prepared in solution at a concentration 350 nM and a pH of 7.0. Samples were evaluated using an excitation wavelength of 350 nm and the resulting overlaid spectra are shown in FIG. 11. The observed Stokes shift for the emission maximum of 520 nm for Compound I-10 is 170 nM.

Compound I-10 showed a 5.5 fold increase in fluorescence relative to Compound A demonstrating the effective transfer of excitation energy from the donor chromphor (AF350) to the acceptor, FITC moieties to provide the observed increase.

All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet, including U.S. Patent Application No. 62/906,591, filed Sep. 26, 2019, are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety to the extent not inconsistent with the present description.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is not limited except as by the appended claims. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A compound having the following structure (III):

or a stereoisomer, salt, or tautomer thereof, wherein: M¹ and M² are different chromophores selected such that M¹ and M² form a FRET pair; L¹ is, at each occurrence, an optional linker, provided that at least one occurrence of L¹ is present and comprises oxygen; L² and L³ are, at each occurrence, independently an optional alkylene, alkenylene, alkynylene, heteroalkylene, heteroalkenylene, heteroalkynylene or heteroatomic linker; L⁴ is, at each occurrence, independently an alkylene or heteroalkylene linker; L⁸ is absent; R¹ is, at each occurrence, independently H, alkyl or alkoxy; R² and R³ are each independently H, OH, SH, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylether, heteroalkyl, —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c), Q, or a protected form thereof, or L′; R⁴ is, at each occurrence, independently OH, SH, O⁻, S⁻, OR_(d) or SR_(d); R⁵ is, at each occurrence, independently oxo, thioxo, or absent; R_(a) is O or S; R_(b) is OH, SH, O⁻, S⁻, OR_(d) or SR_(d); R_(c) is OH, SH, O⁻, S⁻, OR_(d), OL′, SR_(d), alkyl, alkoxy, heteroalkyl, heteroalkoxy, alkylether, alkoxyalkylether, phosphate, thiophosphate, phosphoalkyl, thiophosphoalkyl, phosphoalkylether, or thiophosphoalkylether; R_(d) is a counter ion; Q is, at each occurrence, independently a moiety comprising a reactive group, or protected form thereof, capable of forming a covalent bond with an analyte molecule, a targeting moiety, a solid support or a complementary reactive group Q′; L′ is, at each occurrence, independently a linker comprising a covalent bond to Q, a linker comprising a covalent bond to a targeting moiety, a linker comprising a covalent bond to an analyte molecule, a linker comprising a covalent bond to a solid support, a linker comprising a covalent bond to a solid support residue, a linker comprising a covalent bond to a nucleoside or a linker comprising a covalent bond to a further compound of structure (III); m is, at each occurrence, independently an integer of zero or greater; and n is an integer of one or greater.
 2. The compound of claim 1, wherein the compound has the following structure (IIIA):

wherein: L⁴ is —(OCH₂CH₂)_(z)—; z is, at each occurrence, independently an integer from 1 to 100; and m is, at each occurrence, independently an integer from 0 to
 6. 3. The compound of claim 2, wherein z is, at each occurrence, independently an integer from 1 to
 30. 4. The compound of claim 2, wherein m is, at each occurrence, independently an integer from 2-4.
 5. The compound of claim 2, wherein the compound has the following structure (IIIB):

wherein: x¹, x², x³, x⁴, x⁵, and x⁶ are, at each occurrence, independently an integer from 0 to
 6. 6. The compound of claim 1, wherein L¹ comprises one of the following structures:

wherein a, b, and c are each independently an integer ranging from 1-6.
 7. The compound of claim 1, wherein R⁴ is, at each occurrence, independently OH, O⁻ or OR_(d); R⁵ is, at each occurrence, oxo; and R¹ is, at each occurrence, H.
 8. The compound of claim 1, wherein one of R² or R³ is OH or —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c), and the other of R² or R³ is Q or a linker comprising a covalent bond to Q.
 9. The compound of claim 1, wherein Q has one of the following structures:

wherein each X is independently a halogen.
 10. The compound of claim 1, wherein one of R² or R³ is OH or —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c), and the other of R² or R³ is a linker comprising a covalent bond to an analyte molecule or a linker comprising a covalent bond to a solid support.
 11. The compound of claim 1, wherein R² or R³ has one of the following structures:


12. The compound of claim 1, wherein at least one combination of M¹ and M² is a FRET pair with a J-value greater than about 1×10¹⁰.
 13. The compound of claim 1, wherein M¹ and M² are, at each occurrence, independently selected from the group consisting of: i) a dimethylaminostilbene, quinacridone, fluorophenyl-dimethyl-BODIPY, his-fluorophenyl-BODIPY, acridine, terrylene, sexiphenyl, porphyrin, benzopyrene, (fluorophenyl-dimethyl-difluorobora-diaza-indacene)phenyl, (bis-fluorophenyl-difluorobora-diaza-indacene)phenyl, quaterphenyl, bi-benzothiazole, ter-benzothiazole, bi-naphthyl, bi-anthracyl, squaraine, squarylium, 9,10-ethynylanthracene, and ter-naphthyl moiety; ii) p-terphenyl, perylene, azobenzene, phenazine, phenanthroline, acridine, thioxanthrene, chrysene, rubrene, coronene, cyanine, perylene imide, perylene amide, and derivatives thereof, iii) a coumarin dye, resorufin dye, dipyrrometheneboron difluoride dye, ruthenium bipyridyl dye, thiazole orange dye, polymethine, and N-aryl-1,8-naphthalimide dye; or iv) a coumarin dye, boron-dipyrromethene, rhodamine, cyanine, pyrene, perylene, perylene monoimide, 6-FAM, 5-FAM, 6-FITC, 5-FITC, and derivatives thereof.
 14. The compound of claim 1, wherein M¹ and M² at each occurrence, independently have one of the following structures:


15. The compound of claim 1, wherein the compound is selected from:

wherein: Bs has the following structure:

FITC has the following structure:

AF555 has the following structure:

Cy3 has the following structure:

AF700 refers to Alexa Fluor 700 having a CAS Registry No. of 1246956-22-8; AF680 has the following structure:

AF647 has the following structure:

AF350 has the following structure:

PB has the following structure:

AF594 has the following structure:

and dT has the following structure:

wherein: R is H or a direct bond.
 16. A composition comprising the compound of claim 1 one or more analyte molecules.
 17. The compound of claim 1, wherein at least one occurrence of L⁴ is heteroalkylene.
 18. The compound of claim 17, wherein the heteroalkylene comprises alkylene oxide.
 19. The compound of claim 18, wherein the heteroalkylene comprises ethylene oxide. 